Vote: Calexico sales tax increased to 8%?

purplemammoth · Posted: 09 Feb 2007 10:12 PM Post subject: El Gaucho

A couple months back I heard that El Guacho was going to be forced to remove their outside grill. Did any one else here this?

elchrist · Posted: 27 Feb 2007 09:21 AM Post subject:

Calexico Chooses Projects for Possible Tax Increase
Source: KSWT

The Calexico city council has selected various new projects that would be funded if voters pass a sales tax increase this coming June.

Those projects include street repair, new parks, fire and police stations, downtown revitalization and a sewer and water line expansion just to name a few.

The 0.25 percent sales tax increase has been met with some opposition by local residents who say it’s too much.

The city says the funds are greatly needed and would help the entire city of Calexico.

elchrist · Posted: 08 Mar 2007 08:33 AM Post subject:

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Reader: Here we go again

One can conclude that the city of Calexico cannot manage its finances. Does the now defunct hospital and its 1/2-cent sales tax from 1996 2006 ring a bell? How does a proposed .25 percent increase on our sales tax rate affect our economy and quality of life? Our water rates were increased about 22 percent, more than $14 per month, and will continue to increase during the next three-year period. Now add to this dilemma an increase of .25 percent to taxable goods such as cars, furniture, food, etc. … and it will really make a dent on the economy to a good number of Calexico families. By taking this action, are we not saying “don’t shop in Calexico”?
I thought the water rate increase was to cover the cost of the upgrade of the water plant and sewer lines.
Why does the City Council have this project listed as one of their priorities on their to-do list?
Besides the proposed increase on the sales tax rate, the city is proposing another multimillion-dollar bond. What madness.
The only good thing that this council has done is to admit that developers’ fees alone do not bring in enough revenue to carry on city business. So is the alternative an increase in taxes?
Hog wash! What brings in revenue to the city is not housing alone, but a combination of housing, commerce and industry. What we do not need is an increase in our sales tax rate.
I commend the city for attracting Mervyn’s, Target and a new location for Robinson Ford — big tax revenue. These are the types of projects
we need in order to improve the quality of life of Calexicans. The city of Calexico needs to seriously and relentlessly pursue expansion of economic development. Only then will we become a sustainable community and not have to burden our citizens with more taxes. Of the seven cities in Imperial County, Calexico is the only place where this is happening.
Why is that? Are we not tired of hearing the expression “only in Calexico”?

A concerned citizen
TONY P. TIRADO Calexico