As a lifelong citizen of King City, I urge you to vote “yes” on Measure P coming up on the Nov. 3 ballot. A “yes” vote on Measure P will increase the local sales tax by a half cent to 1.5 cents per dollar spent. This will put us in line with the other cities in Monterey County.
A small increase will allow for the scope of the City’s budget to include necessities like additional police protection, expensive street improvements, additional fire equipment for our dedicated volunteer fire department, and addressing deferred maintenance.
I remember a few years ago when our town was bordering on bankruptcy and we had so much crime and gang activity. It has taken 10 years to bring the town back to where we are today. The community is safer, the downtown is attractive, parks have been built, and there is a sense of pride that we had lost. Personally, I do not want to go backwards.
As a retired retailer, I have not always supported increases in sales tax. However, I have been vocal in supporting this measure because I see the urgency in passing Measure P. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity, because we are moving into the desperate zone if it doesn’t pass.
I have served on the citizen’s oversight committee for the City of King’s budget for a number of years. There is no fluff in the budget. We have added many more streets, houses, apartments and parks in the last 10 years without adding extra personnel, including police. We are stretched to the limit.
Passing this measure will bring an additional $1.2 million into the budget. Because the greatest amount of sales tax is collected at the gas pumps, much of the tax is paid by travelers.
Good things have happened in King City, and I would like to keep it going. If you are a King City resident, please join me in voting “yes” on Measure P to keep King City moving forward.
Suzanne Krause
King City
