The old saying “things are tough all over” certainly applies to present day King City. As a city, it could be said we became a victim of our own success. In the past dozen years, King City made huge advancements in cutting violent crime, in beautifying the downtown area and with added parks, and improved streets and infrastructure. What we as voters failed to realize at the time was the influx of monies due to the Covid outbreak was paramount to many of our improvements. The result was voters saw no reason to pass two measures, which would have allowed for maintenance of those things accomplished and continued improvements.
Now, with the country in a downward spiral and the cost of living rising, any municipality seeking to raise money through a tax increase proposal will encounter reluctance on the part of citizens. Here in King City, we have Measure P on the ballot, and it is indeed a tax increase.
The measure calls for a sales tax increase from 1.0% to 1.5%; a half-cent raise. Proponents of the measure cite four main areas where monies from the proposed increase would go: ending violent crime with concentration on youth programs, staffing and equipping police and firefighters, paving streets and maintaining financial stability. Here in King City we have been assured all possible paring down of the city budget has been done and we are still in need of money. But how do you convince a person living on a newer street in a neighborhood that hasn’t seen any major crimes and whose home can be accessed by the fire department in a very short time to vote for a tax increase when that person is struggling to keep a family of four, five, seven people afloat amid rising costs? With limited words, I offer my opinion on the measure.
On a recent Monday morning, I had a conversation with our chief of police, in his office, and his police radio was on because with one officer transporting a prisoner he was the back-up for the only other officer on duty at that time. When the chief is the back-up, you have a problem. Here in a nutshell is what the chief offered up regarding KCPD staffing: Current Sworn allotted positions: 1 Chief, 1 Captain, 1 Detective Sergeant, 4 Patrol Sergeants, 10 officers, 1 SPO (School Resource Officer; 50% paid by schools) for a total of 18. Today’s working staff: 1 Chief, 3 Sergeants, 4 officers, 1 SRO (50% of what is allotted for SROs).
With four more officers, the chief could provide patrols with 3 officers and 1 sergeant per shift, 2 detectives, 2 SROs; that would bring the force up from nine to 13 and reactivate the detective division, allow SROs to remain on campuses, and ease the overtime shifts during times of officer’s days off and vacations, sickness, required training, prisoner transport or other issues. As it stands right now, according to the chief, he is “one hiccup away from cancelling days off and overworking my officers.” While the chief is aware of the turnover rate among police officers, he states the officers we have now are loyal to the department and would be more likely to remain in King City rather than move on to greener pastures if they could only get the off days required of people who work with situations most of us could never handle. My opinion is the KCPD needs money.
The day after my meeting with the chief, I met with City Manager Arreola, who would like to add some positions to the community development department; the planning department needs an assistant planner to lessen the load on staff. It is not easy for a layman like myself to grasp the intricacies of running a city, but City Manager Arreola states plainly that without passage of Measure P he will not be able to present a viable budget to the city council and the city will soon see a deficit in spending. That does not bode well for all residents. I hope others share my opinion that city hall needs money.
Firefighters get to all calls in all our neighborhoods in minutes; and all calls means they are often the first responders to situations that do not call for firehoses and ladders. Personally, I worry less about fire than I do about hitting the asphalt from the seat of a moving bicycle, so for me keeping the department well trained in medical response measures is as important as equipment. This department needs money.
Many moons ago I was instructed in the particulars of gang life, and while I do not pretend to understand all of it I do understand giving youth a clear vision of paths ahead is the only way to stem heartache later on. Not many years ago one of my best friend’s son was shot to death on the street where I now live, and now again we have seen some recent deaths. We should not, in my opinion, allow such violence to creep back into our community, so it seems clear money is needed for a solid youth prevention program.
Regarding street repair, I have a map and printout, which shows Pearl, Third, S. Vanderhurst, S. San Lorenzo, Fairway and Park Place, Monte Vista, Talbot, Reich and Luckett began rehabilitation six days ago and will conclude two days from now. But don’t let that fool you; many more streets are in need. With more words, I could state more needs, but I’ve hit my limit.
This increase means one nickel for every $100 spent in town; and while it is true tourists from off the 101 will supply the majority of that money to the city, we are all in this together. Let’s not deny our young people a better future. In my opinion a “Yes” vote on Measure P is the right choice.
Take care. Peace.
Columnist Steve Wilson may be reached at sc**********@***oo.com.
