Let’s take a look at what kind of shape our Culver City’s finances are in three years after the demise of our local Redevelopment Agency, the CCRDA.
Back in March, our City Council couldn’t find enough money in its budget to continue funding a local housing assistance program. So, led by Mayor Salhi-Wells’s verbal prodding, the Council voted to dig into our one-time savings to cover the cost of this seemingly never-ending program.
Permanently Temporary
Now we are hearing a clarion call from City Hall to make permanent the temporary 10-year, half-percent sales and use tax which is set to expire in eight years, 2023.
Sounds to me as if our city is in search of much needed, ongoing revenue streams.
No Way, No How
The local billboard naysayers shout against adding any new signs anywhere within our city limits. They picture this proposed entertainment zone as just the next sinister step in the plot to “billboard over” our community. They will try and convince anyone — within shouting distance — that if another exception is made, billboards will start falling from the sky.
Opponents are so blinded by their hatred that they cannot see past their own aesthetically-bent noses that these proposed signs –in the far, southwest corner of our city –could be just what the doctor ordered in giving our city’s revenue-anemic budget a $500,000 booster shot every year.
A Godsend
This annual injection should be seen by all of us as a Godsend, not the evil work of dark, sinister forces. Opponents may have to hold their noses and accept these out-of-the-way billboards. By the Council’s latest actions, it looks as if our city coffers could really use this additional funding.
A Small Price
Having some billboards off in the far reaches of our city would be a very small price to pay, aesthetically, to help keep our local tax rates/user fees lower, and to help our city financially right itself after losing millions in state redevelopment money.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
