Auburn voters to decide on sales tax increase for improved safety

Auburn voters will get to decide in November if the city should boost its sales tax to generate $2.56 million more a year. Measure S calls for the city's sales tax to be raised 1 percent. The current sales tax in Auburn is 7.25 percent, with 6 percent going to the state, 0.25 percent to Placer County and 1 percent to the city. The 1-percent increase would bring the local sales tax to 8.25 percent and requires a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) to pass. To help voters stay informed as they decide this Measure, the Auburn Journal reached out to the Yes on Measure S campaign for its input on some frequently asked questions. Proponents' opinions were added to the answers of the questions, listed below: What will Measure S funds be spent on? Measure S funds will be added to the City of Auburn's general fund, which means the funds can be spent on any municipal purpose. Proponents of the tax have said they will focus the spending on public safety through additional money for the city's fire, police and public works departments. What safeguards are in place to guarantee Auburn residents the money will be spent as the voters intend? If the tax were to pass, an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee would ensure the Auburn City Council is funding public safety priorities as promised. The Citizens' Oversight Committee will act as a liaison between the community and City Council to determine annual budget priorities for funding between Fire, Police and Public Works programs. There will be annual public audits of the funds, and the ballot language includes a sunset of seven years, giving voters an option not to renew the tax. How will Auburn's sales tax compare to its neighbors? Auburn's sales tax rate will remain lower than other foothill communities facing a similar catastrophic fire risk, such as Nevada City (8.38%) and Grass Valley (8.50%), but would become the highest sales tax in Placer County. Proponents argue that it's hard to compare Auburn to other Placer County cities such as Roseville and Rocklin, because they don't share the same fire threat. They also argue that no research shows shoppers will choose elsewhere to shop because of a 1 percent increase in the sales tax. Why is Measure S needed? Proponents argue Auburn's Fire, Police and Public Works departments have gone underfunded for more than a decade. This is a recipe for disaster, they say, when most of Auburn's population lives in high fire zones. Department heads have voiced the need for additional funding for years. Fire, Police and Public Works' budgets have been cut by up to 30 percent since 2008 because there is not enough money to properly fund these departments. Fire, Police and Public Works play a critical role in fire prevention, emergency response, code enforcement and protecting Auburn from crime. Why a sales tax? A sales tax ensures everyone who benefits from improved fire and police services shares in the cost – residents and visitors alike. Even online purchases delivered to Auburn contributes to the city's sales tax revenue. Proponents argue a sales tax is the only way to generate the amount of funding needed to see meaningful, immediate improvements to fire and police services. While there is no official campaign against Measure S, there was ballot language against the measure filed in Placer County's Voter Guides. In the argument, detractors stated the tax was unnecessary and would hurt the business climate in Auburn. They argue the money raised by the tax could be spent on anything, not just protective services. For more information on the Yes on Measure S campaign, visit Safety4Auburn.com.