On Election Day, Many Cities Will Look for Funds

Money. Money. Money.

When it comes to Tuesday’s local elections, many of the ballot questions and council races are about good old-fashioned money--how to get more of it and how to make better use of what cities and school districts already have.

With the economy humming, local leaders are hoping that voters will be willing to dip into their pockets to maintain city or school district services. Some are seeking to renew taxes they have become dependent on for survival.

In Covina, where a tax once led to the recall of the entire City Council, voters will consider whether to renew a controversial utility tax. In Whittier, the issue is a $98-million school bond. And in Hawaiian Gardens, the question is who can best keep the city afloat.

In all, contests will be held in 44 Los Angeles County cities and four school districts in this round of local elections. The election for council and school board in the city of Los Angeles is April 13.

Nowhere is the outcome more pressing than in Hawaiian Gardens. The one-square-mile city has been without a budget for two years and, with expenses roughly double its income, has in the past flirted with bankruptcy.

The city depends on monthly charitable contributions from a bingo parlor’s philanthropist owner, Dr. Irving Moskowitz, to make up a roughly $2.4-million annual budget shortfall. Moskowitz’s foundation stopped the funding three months ago, saying it needed more detailed information on how the money was being spent.

“It’s an absolute shambles,” said Leonard Chaidez, a former local city manager. Chaidez and Petra Prida are challenging incumbents Ralph Cesena and Alan Calcote.

But Mayor Cesena said the city is searching for ways to raise revenue. “We’re going to survive some way or another,” he said. “The city is not going to close its doors.”

Artesia is also feeling the pinch. Two of the five City Council candidates are floating the idea of a ballot measure that would merge or absorb Artesia with next-door neighbor Cerritos in order to ward off possible financial ruin.

Pointing to depleted cash reserves and a dire need for road and sewer repairs, incumbent Tim Kelemen and running mate Mary Ochoa are telling voters that the city needs to look to its richer neighbor.

But others maintain that the city’s financial woes aren’t that bad. “I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Mary Alyce Soares, a candidate and former councilwoman.

Before taking a stand, Cerritos officials say they must await results of any ballot measure in Artesia and a feasibility study regarding such a marriage.

In Covina, voters must decide whether to extend a utility tax.

In 1993, angry voters threw out the entire City Council in recall elections after their politicians implemented a utility tax. But once the new council members took their seats, they realized the enormity of the city’s financial crisis and approved their own new tax, one that voters approved in 1995.

This year, Measure C would extend that tax for a decade and lower its cap from 8.25% to 6%. If it fails, the tax will expire in November.

“They think they can slip this tax on the gas or electric bills and people won’t notice,” said council member Robert Naylor, an ardent anti-taxer and council candidate.

Mayor Kevin Stapleton said that without the extra $3.4-million per year, the city will have to make painful cuts to police, library and recreation programs. “This is the lesser of two evils,” he said.

Voters in La Verne will also decide whether to approve a 4% utility tax, while in Gardena a hike in the tax to 7% is on the ballot.

In South Pasadena, officials say they will curtail library hours unless voters repeat their approval of a special library tax. If extended, the 5-year-old tax would provide $220,000 annually for the city’s busy library. “It’s the only tax I feel good about paying,” said Cathy Brooke, co-chairwoman of the Committee for the Library’s Future.

Politicians in Irwindale have decided to ask voters to pass on the burden of new taxes to local mining companies, which quarry for gravel and sand in the community. The city is proposing to hike mining taxes to help repair roads and build infrastructure. Mining companies are opposed to the measure, noting that it would be the second hike in a few short years.

Meanwhile, school district officials are asking taxpayers to approve bond measures that would modernize run-down campuses.

At the Whittier Union High School District, a $98-million bond measure would be used to renovate five high schools that serve students from Whittier, Santa Fe Springs and parts of La Habra, Norwalk and La Mirada.

A previous bond attempt in Whittier failed about a decade ago by 37 votes, so supporters say they are trying to pull out the stops this time.

The same is true in Lancaster, though bond advocates are seeking approval for a smaller amount, a $29-million measure to modernize nine schools built in the 1950s.

In San Marino, school officials are hoping that voters will extend for a third time a special “parcel tax” on properties to benefit its schools. The tax would rise from $100 to $195 per parcel with an exemption for seniors.

“This goes straight to hiring teachers, not to Washington or Sacramento,” school board President R. Scott Jenkins said.

Voters in Gardena are facing more than tax measures. They must also decide whether to keep the city’s fire services in local hands or to contract out to either the Los Angeles city or county fire departments. Gardena firefighters would retain their jobs under either proposal.

The firefighters union argues that the county can save Gardena money and provide superior service. The city now spends $4.6 million. The county has offered to provide the service for $4.16 million, while Los Angeles has bid $4.7 million. But city officials say that transferring control will incur its own costs, thus making the status quo the cheapest option.

Voters in two neighboring cities will decide on the position of an elected mayor.

Opponents of longtime El Monte Mayor Patricia Wallach want voters to eliminate her office and have council members rotate the position annually.

In South El Monte, voters have the chance to approve the opposite: making their rotating mayor an elected position.