Duarte Council Sends Proposed Utility Tax to Voters

In an effort to avert a recall drive against the mayor, the City Council has voted to put a proposed utility tax on the November ballot rather than decide the issue itself.

Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether they want the utility tax, which for one year would be set at 3% but could increase to as much as 5% before it ends in 1999. The initial 3% tax on water, electricity, telephone and cable television bills would cost the average household $5 to $10 a month.

“I believe the people support the utility tax and I just want to go-ahead verify this on the ballot,” Mayor Margaret F. Finlay said.

David A. Covert, spokesman for the Duarte Taxpayers Group that opposes the tax, called the decision “a victory for Duarte taxpayers.”

“The residents of this community will get to decide whether they want higher taxes,” he said.

Three weeks ago, the taxpayers group filed documents to initiate a recall drive against Finlay after the council told staff to draw up a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to eliminate a $1.5-million shortfall that included a new 3% utility tax. Finlay was targeted because the group considered her the leading tax proponent.

At Thursday’s special meeting, the council voted 4 to 1 to let the voters decide the issue. Council members John F. Fasana, Ginny Joyce, James D. Kirchner and Finlay supported the motion. Councilman Phil Reyes dissented. “I think people are tired of taxes,” he said.

Under the budget plan, the shortfall would be made up by $880,000 in cuts, including the layoff of two employees, $194,000 in fee increases and $480,000 a year from the proposed 3% tax.