Petalumans overwhelmingly oppose a
quarter-cent sales tax increase for public safety, but they’re about evenly
split on support for an increase in the hotel bed tax (occupancy tax paid by
hotel users), according to the results of the Feb. 19, 2009 online poll.

The City Council is considering
both measures to help bring in more revenue to balance its budget.

Asked if they would support a
quarter-cent sales tax increase for public safety, 70.1 percent said no and
23.2 percent said yes. Asked if they would support an increase in the hotel bed
tax, 46.3 percent said yes and 47.6 percent said no.

Here are some of the comments by
those who responded to the poll:

” “

“I would love to see my retail tax
dollars pay for public safety or the building of parks or possibly maintaining
our streets. Instead, I know my retail tax dollars go to neighboring
communities. With the approved new General Plan, let’s build more shopping
opportunities in Petaluma and generate revenue.”

” “

“Why should we bail out the city
when they are so irresponsible?”

” “

“Increase sales tax revenue by
bringing Target into town!”

” “

“With the recent additions in the
county and the state, we are already almost at 10 cents (sales tax) on the
dollar. How could we possibly pay more?”

” “

“I am a big supporter of law
enforcement and would normally support a tax for police. I would not support it
at this time because the state has just raised my taxes by several thousand
dollars a year. We are getting taxed to death in a time of a major recession.”

” “

“Another hike in the sales tax?
You’ve got to be kidding me! I just
don’t trust them to utilize the tax for what it is intended. After all, look at
Santa Rosa: they voted for a tax to help fund police and now the City Council
wants to use that money for other purposes. As for the hotel tax, it would
depend on how much of an increase. I would not vote for an open-ended sum.”

” “

“When will government wake up and
realize that the till is empty?”

” “

“If Petaluma does not want infill,
then the city must cut the budget. The city should be run like a business. If
the city does not want to expand, then the city needs to outsource activities
to save money or make the cuts necessary to stay within its revenue. It appears
Petaluma is operating more like a lot of households by borrowing to live beyond
their means, and putting the future in peril. Please make the hard cuts, so
that bankruptcy is not in the city’s future.”

” “

“I do not want the sales tax
increased to support the full-pay retirements of public safety officials.”

” “

“If public safety means more
police than no, I wouldn’t support it. If public safety means more than
carrot-and-stick tactics, then let’s talk.”

” “

“The money is waiting to be
collected in the community development department. The problem is that the city
will have to process approvals for that to happen. The mayor has proven she
will not let that happen.”

” “

“Get back to basics. The city is
needed for police, fire and street repair. Petaluma should be part of the
regional sewer district. This is just one example of how Petaluma takes the
most expensive solution to everything. ‘Let’s hire a consultant to do a study’
is not the answer.”

” “

“This is a trick. Santa Rosa
passed a tax for public safety, and now they are diverting the increases for
the general fund. That is what will happen if Petalumans fall for this
deception.”

” “

“All politicians want is more of
my money. I say live within your means, just like I have to.”

” “

“Income tax on high earners is the
way to go, not a regressive sales tax.”

” “

“The mayor’s next moratorium
should be on spending. She needs to end the one she placed on our community.
The actions by city officials, whether policy or covert, has caused the
deficit. It should be no surprise the shortfall is equal to the fees
historically collected by CDD.”

” “

“I’d rather have a 1 percent
increase and cut the water sewer and other user rates.”

” “

“I would support the tax if I
could be assured that it would go for the police and fire departments only. I
also think there should be a hefty tax on any paid ticket to any event at the
fairgrounds. This could help offset the ridiculous $1-a-year lease. The real
question is: How did Petaluma get in this fiscal mess? What was done to cause
the deficit? We should know so the mistakes are not repeated.”

” “

“The city needs to try to get more
sales tax base before putting it to the people. No Petaluma bailout.”

” “

“If the city needs money, They
should mine the projects at the anti-development department.”

” “

“We cannot tax our way out of this
mess. Stopping housing got us here and will get us out. So start building. That
will keep our tax dollars and fees here.”

” “

“Tell the city to get back to
basics, and balance the budget.”

” “

“We do not need more cops; we need
them to go right after the gang bangers and get them out of town.”

” “

“What exactly do you mean by
public safety? Does this mean more police officers giving Petalumans tickets?
Does this mean better crosswalks, more crossing guards or improved signals? If
it was specifically used to arrest gang members, then I’d be all for it.
Otherwise, I’d have to say ‘no’ until you tell me where the money is going to
be used.”

” “

“The City Council majority has
unfortunately gone from a slow- and smart-growth policy to a no-growth policy.
Petaluma desperately needs the revenue from new businesses and the tax revenues
those new businesses would generate. Now that the new general plan is in place,
there is simply no excuse for some of the projects that would generate revenue
for Petaluma’s coffers not proceeding. However, the current majority on our
City Council ” Mayor Torliatt, Teresa Barrett, David Glass and Tiffany Renee ”
are anti-growth. Towns that don’t grow generally die. The people in Petaluma
have a right to have their elected representatives do what is best for the
whole town, not just what a rabid vocal minority deems is best for Petaluma.”

” “

“Another 1 percent for the state
in sales tax plus 0.25 percent here equals 9 percent sales tax. How will that
stimulate anything except sales-tax-exempt Internet purchases?”

” “

“I would not support a sales tax
increase unless I first see progress in obtaining more retail stores in
Petaluma.”

” “

“No one can seem to budget! I’ve
done it all my life just fine. I can’t afford any more taxes! Learn to budget!
We pay all these government officials big bucks and they can’t budget! My 8-
and 10-year-olds can budget their money! They just don’t come and ask for more!
Budget what you have! I don’t have
any more spare money in my budget to
give!”

” “

“The State of California has
beaten you to it.”

” “

“You cannot tax your way out of a
recession!”

” “

“This city is about as
anti-business as you can possibly be, now you they considering tax increases?
It won’t matter to me because I’ll be moving from this town to a pro-business
town where I can invest my money.”

” “

“The council spurns new businesses
that could generate major tax revenue, but wants us to pay more sales tax? They
have had their chances to increase Petaluma’s tax base, but cling to their
‘no-growth, no box stores, we only love downtown small businesses’ to the
detriment of the entire city.”

” “

“Cut spending!”