EAST COUNTY: Two East County cities facing multimillion budget deficits will ask voters to help cover the shortfalls by approving sales tax increases in November.
The El Cajon City Council voted unanimously yesterday to ask voters for a half-cent while the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask voters in that city for a three-quarter-cent increase. Councilwoman Ruth Sterling dissented.
Cities cannot increase sales taxes without a vote of the public. If approved, the measures would raise El Cajon's sales tax rate to 8.75 percent and La Mesa's to 8.25 percent. El Cajon residents and shoppers already pay higher sales tax because voters approved a half-cent increase in 2004. Money from the tax is paying for construction of new public safety buildings.
El Cajon and La Mesa are struggling with ongoing budget deficits estimated at $6 million and $4 million, respectively, in fiscal 2009. El Cajon officials estimate the increase would generate about $8.5 million a year; La Mesa predicts its measure would bring in $7.2 million.
No other cities appear to be considering sales tax increases at this time. National City and Vista voters approved increases in the past. However, voters in National City will consider a repeal of the tax in November. –L.N.
