Council Session on Prop. B

The City Council has scheduled a Jan. 8 public hearing on a proposal to place a renewal of Proposition B, the city property tax measure that finances street and parkland maintenance, on the April 8 ballot. Enacted in 1982, the measure must be approved by voters every four years. The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. in City Council chambers.

The tax, now $82 for each parcel of property, would be reduced to $74 for the 1986-87 fiscal year under the renewal proposal. It would raise $400,000 in revenue. For the following three fiscal years ending in 1990, the tax would be $77, $81 and $84.

City Manager Gordon Siebert said next year’s reduction is based on a decline in street maintenance costs, which include pothole repair and gutter cleaning, because several major streets have been repaved. In addition to street maintenance, Proposition B next year will pay for all weed control, tree and shrub maintenance, street sweeping and most parkland improvements, he said.

A separate voter-approved tax measure, not due for renewal until 1988, covers police, fire and paramedic costs.