LA HABRA : Utility Tax Foes Press for Change

Calling it unfair, angry residents are joining a revolt to get the City Council to rescind La Habra’s 6% utility tax.

At a council meeting last week, the tax foes threatened to vote the elected officials out of office during the next election, in November, 1996, if they do not repeal the tax.

“When will you get rid of this terrible tax?” asked Merceline La Porte, who started La Habra ACT (Against City Tax) five months ago to demand the tax repeal.

“It’s an unjust tax,” La Porte said. “It’s not necessary and I think we have overprotection in the police and fire” departments.

City officials said the council voted for the tax in late 1992 to avert cuts in the police and fire departments.

The tax took effect in May, 1993, raising $3.7 million in revenue each year and making up about 30% of the city’s general fund, City Manager Lee Risner said.

He said that, if the tax is repealed, at least 11 of the city’s 33 firefighters, 30 of the 73 police officers and many other city employees would have to be laid off and all parks would have to be shut down.

But some residents are not convinced.

Bill Griego, a 22-year La Habra resident, said he is against the tax because it was not voted on by the citizens. He vowed to “work hard” on a campaign to oust council members up for reelection next year.

Those officials include Mayor Juan M. Garcia and councilmen Steven C. Anderson and James Flora.

Other tax foes include several senior citizens, who said the levy takes about $250 each year from their fixed government incomes.

“We’re just going to throw (the council) out come election time,” 20-year resident Dick Williams said. “That’s the only real tool we have, because a recall takes too long and is too expensive. This way, (council members) have some time to think about repealing the tax to save their jobs.”