Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
By DAVID SCHOLZ
Martinez Tribune
MARTINEZ, Calif. – With the Martinez City Council’s 4-0 formal blessing last week to move forward with placing a .50 percent sales tax for roadwork and street maintenance before the voters on the November 8 General Election ballot, the next step is to approve an affirmative statement for voters to consider.
This will come Aug. 17 when the pro-tax statement crafted by Mayor Rob Schroder and Councilmember Lara Delaney, with input from the City Manager’s staff, will be heard and voted on by the full council.
Residents writing an opposing statement to the sales tax have until Aug. 24 to submit it to the City Clerk’s office.
Last week, the council also approved a $50,000 expenditure to cover costs of putting the measure on the ballot and paying for literature. The ballot language for the measure was approved too.
Schroder noted that the city cannot actively campaign for the measure, but it can put out information about it.
The proposed .50 percent sales tax, projected to generate $2.1 million annually, must be approved by two-thirds of city voters. If approved in November, this tax would take effect in April 1, 2017, on retail sales in the City of Martinez, and would expire in 15 years.
