Utility Tax Passes Easily in S. Pasadena

City officials breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday after voters approved a 4% utility tax to raise $1.2 million in operating funds over the next two years.

The measure, endorsed by three of four City Council candidates, passed easily by a 5-3 ratio. A previous attempt to get voter approval for a utility tax failed last November when 55% of the voters cast ballots against it.

The city, faced with budget deficits or “drastic” cuts in services, had been counting on the tax. After the November defeat, when Councilman Robert Wagner and his allies led the opposition to the tax, the city was forced to cut back on tree trimming and street sweeping because of lack of funds.

Wagner supported the new measure, which has a clearly defined “sunset clause” that will end the tax either in two years or as soon as it raises $1.2 million.

In the council race, Evelyn Fierro and Joseph Crosby were elected to replace Wagner and Councilman Lee Prentiss, both of whom chose not to run for second terms.

Fierro led all candidates with 2,066 votes, or 34.1%, and Crosby received 1,669, or 27.6%. Frank Novarro got 1,459, or 24.1%, and Donald Williams, the only candidate opposing the utility tax, got 859, or 14.2%.

The tax measure received 2,040 yes votes, or 62.2%, against 1,218 no votes, or 37.4%.

Of the 13,412 registered voters in South Pasadena, 3,356 turned out.