Second in a series.
Re: “The Parcel Tax from Heck That Won’t Die”
Some voters were surprised to wake up yesterday morning and learn that Measure CW, the clean water parcel tax, easily passed even though there is no cap on the life of the tax.
How long would you guess? Mayor Jim Clarke was asked.
“We have mandates of things that we need to be doing between now and 2021,” he said.
“I can envision that any kind of capital projects we would undertake would take several years to complete.
“Here is what we hope to be able to do,” said the mayor. “We want to take this money and leverage it against grants and (other forms of monies) that may be available to us.”
Therefore, Mr. Clarke concluded, “I can see this parcel tax going on for 10 years – or longer.”
He said it with a smile because “I am pleased our folks were willing (74 percent to 26 percent) to tax themselves to be able to support improvements to the environment.
“By approving this parcel tax, they are allowing us to continue to be a leader in this area.”
Altering the topic slightly, the next question was whether the eternal unbuilt development known to friends and family as Parcel B comes under that umbrella?
(To be continued)