Utility tax may be decided by voters
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider asking voters in November to keep a utility tax that pumps $65 million into county coffers each year.
The tax, which has been tacked on to gas, electric and telephone bills in unincorporated areas since 1991, is threatened by a series of court decisions and could be struck down this year.
Other municipalities, including the city of Los Angeles, have won voter approval for similar levies.
In a letter to supervisors, county Chief Executive Officer William T Fujioka said the tax revenue was needed to pay for code enforcement, early-morning patrols at parks and extended hours at county libraries.
If approved by most voters in unincorporated areas, the tax would be reduced from 5% to 4.5%.
Supervisors are expected to decide on the ballot measure July 22.
-- Jean-Paul Renaud
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