Since 2008 the City of La Mesa has relied on local funding from a voter-approved ¾¢ sales tax, Proposition L.

During last month’s City Council meeting, Councilmembers voted unanimously to place an extension of the sales tax on the ballot for the November election.

This decision allows La Mesans to decide on the sales tax continuation, which is currently set to expire in 2029. The tax reportedly contributes approximately $12 million annually in local funding and the proposed extension seeks to maintain funding for services such as public safety, infrastructure, and community services.

More specifically, the funding has been used to provide police and fire services; maintenance and improvement of streets, sidewalks, and storm drains; as well as recreational programs and senior resources, according to the city’s ‘keeping La Mesa safe and clean without increasing taxes’ webpage.

“Supporting the renewal of this sales tax to maintain high-quality services for our community was a clear choice,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “The funds from the ¾¢ sales tax will continue to address essential services including infrastructure maintenance, police and fire services, and city cleanliness. Extending this measure ensures that we can uphold the standards our residents rely on and invest in the future well-being of our city.”

Councilmember Colin Parent explained that for 15 years La Mesans have “relied on funds from Prop L to fully fund our police and fire departments. I believe that our voters deserve the opportunity to consider whether to extend that measure, to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Furthermore, in an email blast sent on Aug. 2, the San Diego Taxpayers Association stated their support of proposition L’s extension.

Some residents react to renewal talk

However, not all are in favor of the renewal.

“I disagree with the La Mesa City Council’s vote to place an extension on the ¾¢ sales tax,” said La Mesan Edy Johnson. “It brings back memories of the fight to end collection of the Coronado Bridge fees. Temporary and time-limited should mean just that. No on renewing Prop L.”

La Mesan Amy Reichert shared that after consulting with La Mesa law enforcement regarding Proposition L, “Their feedback highlighted a crucial point: if this measure fails, our already understaffed police department may face severe budget cuts that could jeopardize public safety,” she said. “I wholeheartedly support maintaining the beauty of La Mesa, ensuring our roads are well-kept and properly managing our storm drains to prevent future disasters like we have seen in the City of San Diego. Measure L is not a new tax and does not increase sales tax rates. It is reassuring to know essential items like groceries, prescription medications, and diapers are exempt, protecting families during these challenging economic times.”

As indicated on the city’s renew Proposition L website, essential purchases are exempt to ensure a sales tax renewal measure is not a burden to those on fixed or limited incomes.

For Councilmember Patricia Dillard, the funds provided from the sales tax go directly into a general fund that supports critical public safety services and maintains La Mesa’s public areas.

In a joint statement, long-time La Mesa residents Manny and Andee Aceves stated, “We understand the importance of maintaining our city’s services which is why we voted for the original tax increase. As our economy has weakened and we have personally felt the pressures of increased inflation and a higher cost of living, we’ve had to tighten our household budget belt and choose purchases wisely. We are against Prop L because we don’t feel that the city is choosing to spend our tax money wisely. As one example, the $1 million spent each year on the Climate Action Plans, employing six full-time employees is an unsustainable, wasteful, and bloated program that bleeds the budget and will require a continued tax increase unless it is ended or modified. Unused bike lanes and near empty trolleys/buses are useless and expensive – not helpful to the average La Mesan. If the city continues to spend money on extraneous programs, they certainly do not deserve more of our hard-earned money.”

Councilmember Laura Lothian agreed that City Hall spends too much money on outside experts.

“[The] $253,000 my four colleagues voted yes to spend on a bike lane consultant may have been the most exasperating experience I have had on the dais. Likewise, the $1M we spend annually on Climate Action Plans (six full-time employees) is not good stewardship of La Mesans’ tax dollars, especially when that money would be better spent expediting permits to get our small businesses opened, operating, and contributing to La Mesa’s sales tax revenue.”

However, Lothian continued to say that if the ¾¢ sales tax were to expire, the $12 million loss annually “would be devastating to the City of La Mesa, and its residents would feel the cuts. A different City Council (it is an election year) could guarantee less waste and better guardianship of La Mesans’ hard-earned money. Vote wisely.”

The City of La Mesa is asking its residents to review the details of the extension, complete a survey detailing the sales tax and its community impact, and participate in the upcoming November election.

Visit cityoflamesa.us/RenewPropL.