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Submitted by Jeff Nibert
Pleasanton is facing a budget deficit averaging $13 million annually for the next eight years, threatening major disruptions to city services and our quality of life. Pleasanton is not alone. Fortunately, voters can help solve the problem by voting for Measure PP.
Measure PP is needed to protect our 911 emergency responders and essential services, like public safety, disaster preparedness and street repair, as well as other general services like the library and parks. Measure PP allows voters to authorize a half-percent sales tax to reinforce the city’s general fund and significantly reduce the deficit.
Residents will be hearing a lot about this measure, including some myths. But myths can be countered with facts.
Myth: The tax will run forever.
Fact: The tax will expire after 10 years. Voters would need to approve extending it.
Myth: The added tax will damage local business revenue. Most people will shop in another city.
Fact: Data show that across California, most local residents do not change their shopping, dining or buying decisions based on sales tax rates.
Myth: Only Pleasanton residents will pay the tax.
Fact: Sales taxes are paid by residents, businesses and visitors. Everyone who shops in Pleasanton will contribute and share the burden.
Myth: The city has “manufactured” a budget crisis.
Fact: The state auditor’s analysis of California cities rated Pleasanton’s fiscal outlook as “high risk”, in the bottom one-seventh of all cities. It’s real.
Myth: Because this situation seemed to emerge recently, city leaders have not been transparent.
Fact: After coming on board in 2022, our new city manager quickly recognized the city’s risk management and forecasting systems were woefully inadequate. He replaced them with a robust system to identify and analyze costs. Before 2022, there was no comprehensive asset management plan, but the city has now created one to help plan for the future.
Myth: Instead of a tax, the city should spend millions from funds set aside to pay pensions and medical benefits of city workers.
Fact: Pleasanton faces growing pension costs over the next decade. Financial experts recommend against using this money to bridge a deficit. Discipline is required to ensure the city can pay these long-term obligations.
Myth: The city presents Measure PP as the only option to maintain services, without exploring cuts or alternatives.
Fact: Belt-tightening has already been implemented, such as cutting $2.5 million from the current budget, defunding $19 million in capital projects, deferring purchases, freezing vacant positions and more. The city website contains a contingency list of 27 specific reductions being considered to address insufficient funding. The city is exploring other revenue options, including fee increases for development impact and user fees.
Voters have the critical choice of whether to keep in our daily lives the services that make Pleasanton a wonderful city. To make this choice, voters should rely on facts. For everyone’s benefit, all of Pleasanton must work together as a team to achieve the best possible outcome.
Editor’s note: Jeff Nibert is in the middle of his first term as the District 1 representative on the Pleasanton City Council.
“Fact: Data show that across California, most local residents do not change their shopping, dining or buying decisions based on sales tax rates.”
Myth: Taxes/tax rates do not matter. Government always operates “efficiently” and spends money “wisely”. There is an endless supply of money available from the taxpayers and it’s only “fair” that they pay more. People struggling to make ends meet and/or businesses trying to stay competitive just can’t wait to live/move/operate/expand in this state – so the government can take more of their earnings/income.
Separating Myth From Fact – Why I Am Not Supporting Measure PP.
Municipalities often place sales tax increases on the ballot with a sunset clause. Stating they will end after a certain period, such as ten years. However, it is quite common for these municipalities to ask voters to extend these taxes before they expire.
Sales taxes are a factor of failed leadership. The Pleasanton City Council majority is extending their failed leadership failures to blame the voters for the tax increase, claiming the voters require, demand, and want amenities.
Mayor Brown has been on the council for 12 or more years, Testa has been on the council for 6 or more years, and Arkin has been on the council for 4 or more years. I remember prior city councils that paid down the pension debt, saving Pleasanton taxpayers millions of dollars.
It is never necessary to cut police and fire services. Council supporters of Measure PP claiming police and fire services will be cut is an age-old scare tactic. The real cuts to render Measure PP unnecessary begin with a reduction in white-collar staff positions.
Shutting the city down one day every week. The city functions quite well on two-day weekends and three-day weekends. Why not shut down one day midweek? Or place staff on four ten-hour days? As experienced, the city has demonstrated it functions well without limiting police and fire.