On Monday, the Artesia City Council unanimously placed the City of Artesia Public Safety and City Services Measure on the November 5th ballot for voter consideration. The proposed measure would be a ¾ cent sales tax and if enacted wouldn’t apply to prescription medications or food purchased as groceries.
“Over the last eleven years Sacramento has taken millions of dollars from Artesia,” said Interim City Manager Melissa Burke, “Any funds raised by this measure would be legally required to be spent in Artesia, giving the City local control of this revenue and providing funding for city services that Sacramento would not be able to take.”
Over the last year the City has engaged over 700 residents through the City’s interactive community survey, All About Artesia. If enacted, the measure could address City service and resident priorities identified through All About Artesia, such as maintaining 911 emergency response, repairing streets and potholes, cleaning and maintaining public areas, maintaining crime prevention programs involving thefts and burglaries, and gang prevention programs for youth.
“Prior to this year’s rainy season, independent engineers rated over one-third of Artesia’s streets as “poor” or “very poor” and their condition has worsened this winter,” said Artesia Public Works Manager Ernesto Sanchez, “additional local funding could be used to repair our streets and fill potholes and it will be less expensive to repair the streets now than waiting until later.”
For more information on the measure or the results of All About Artesia, visit: www.CityofArtesia.us.
Please click here for the press release.