Wider Access to Sales Tax Data to Be Debated
A controversial proposal to allow City Council members to see businesses’ sales tax information will be considered Monday.
At issue is a state law that allows the city manager and city finance director to review merchants’ sales tax data and allows cities to adopt resolutions stating that council members may also see some of the information.
Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones has argued that the council needs to know more about sales taxes because its members set policy. “Right now we sort of operate in the dark,” she said. “The council needs to have this information.”
But Darrell Essex, who retired last year after 34 years as city manager, has urged the council not to seek expanded disclosure of tax data. Essex, who spoke as a private citizen at the council’s meeting March 10, said potential conflicts of interest could develop.
Essex said that some council members’ occupations might involve them with businesses that could benefit unfairly from access to sales tax data. Essex said it is unwise to place such temptation in council members’ way.
The proposal would require that members not divulge sales tax information they might be shown.
The council will meet at 7 p.m. in chambers, 5275 Orange Ave. Information: (714) 229-6688.
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