PLACENTIA : Council Won’t Back Tax Hike for Jails
Calling a proposed sales tax hike to fund jail construction “premature,” the City Council has defeated a motion to support the proposal.
“I feel the action is premature at this time,” said Mayor Pro Tem Arthur G. Newton. “There are several alternative solutions that have not been explored, and I feel that we shouldn’t take a stand on this issue.”
The motion was requested by Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode, who expressed concern that thousands of offenders could be released because of jail overcrowding.
“Child molesters and repeat offenders are being let out daily,” Eckenrode said.
The proposal supported increasing the Orange County sales tax by half a cent to raise money for construction of a new jail at an undecided location.
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