July 5, 2009
McFarland voters reject tax hike, one step closer to dis-incorporation
By Jose Gaspar
Despite a campaign by McFarland city leaders promoting a tax measure on the June 3 ballot, voters overwhelmingly rejected Measure E. The
measure would have raised tax on utilities by as much as 15%. If passed, the city expected the measure to raise about $1 million dollars a year and help keep the city financially viable. McFarland is already in debt to Kern County. It owes the Sheriff's Department $1.2 million dollars and is facing an additional bill of more than $300,000 from the Kern County Fire Department. And the city says it does not have the money to pay. Asked by 29 Eyewitness News how the city would pay its bills, McFarland Mayor Ken Rosson was blunt. "We have no intention of paying them. There's no money," said Rosson. Without the additional revenue from the failed tax measure, Rosson said the city would have to start taking immediate action to cut city services. "We're going to close down City Hall 1-2 days a week at least. We're going to lose our road crew, the street sweepers," said Rosson. And lay offs are also a possibility. McFarland has 12 city employees and a population of about 15,000. The city is struggling financially and has a weak sales tax base said Rosson. McFarland resident Mayra Medina is worried about the city's crime rate and cuts to public safety. "My biggest concern would be that we could probably not have a Sheriff's Department," said Medina. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood says however, he will keep deputies in McFarland and not close the sub-station "until the matter is resolved." Mayor Rosson says the city has few options left, and will decide what to do in light of the failed tax measure. "It's back to the drawing board with the lawyers," said Rosson. |
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