The City of Petaluma recently utilized a poll to learn whether voters would support a sales tax increase on the ballot in November 2014. Furthermore, the poll sought insight on what services are of greatest concern to residents, so that city staff could determine the best uses for the potential sales tax revenue.
Since many city services were cut back during the recession, many are in need of extra funding. Petaluma360.com asked readers which city service was most deserving of the additional revenue. A slight majority favor fixing Petaluma’s woeful road conditions, but nearly as many didn’t like the idea of any new tax.
The city must also decide whether to seek a general sales tax, which could be used for any service; or a specific sales tax that is earmarked for one designated purpose.
Here were some of the comments:
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“Why don’t they just call this what it is: a tax to pay for the city’s pension obligations? They’ve diverted money from all other city services to pay for that before. What’s to keep them from doing it this time? No new taxes.”
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“Petaluma has the lowest sales tax rate in the county (8 percent). We’re well below Santa Rosa, Cotati and Rohnert Park,  which are all at 8.5 percent, even Sebastopol is 8.25 percent. With all of Petaluma’s new box stores, an increase of just 0.25 percent would have a huge impact on the city finances.”
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“Trim the Fat! Stop asking for more money and instead start spending the money wisely.”
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“We are already taxed enough. California has the highest sales tax, highest income tax and among the highest cost of living. California just approved two tax increases last year. However, those nbso online casino reviews who support higher taxes should be able to pay it voluntarily.”
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“Our sales taxes are already so high that many people, like me, do as much buying online as possible. The online places that do charge sales tax have much lower rates. I just can’t afford it any other way. So go ahead and raise the sales tax rate. I think you will find it causes your sales tax revenue to decrease.”
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“Cut the bloated union retirement and medical plans.”
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“The city’s management has failed to live within its means and now they want us to bail them out. Fix the roads and the parks and stop with the wasteful spending on lawsuits. No taxes! The city council needs to do the job we elected them to do and hold staff accountable, or we hold them accountable during the next election.”
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“Close the parks down and sell the land. Have a primarily volunteer fire fighters. It has worked in many remote areas of the United States. Road repairs: let’s volunteer and do it ourselves. Police is a must. But lets get rid of guys hiding out to catch you speeding. Install cameras, much much cheaper and increase revenue.”

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