GONZALES — City of Gonzales has placed Measure S on the Nov. 5 Presidential General Election ballot.
Gonzales voters are being asked to consider approval of an ordinance that will create and impose a new one-half percent (0.5%) Transactions and Use Tax, raising the rate of sales tax in the city from 8.75% to 9.25%.
Currently, the City of Gonzales sales tax rate is among the lowest in Monterey County. Nine other Monterey County cities have a sales tax rate of 9.25%, including Salinas and Soledad, and Greenfield’s tax is 9.50%.
If approved, it is estimated that the new tax will generate $800,000 annually. All monies collected could be used for general government purposes, such as infrastructure improvements (fire house rehabilitation; repair of city streets, roads and sidewalks; city parks), equipment purchases and ongoing or new adult and youth programs and services.
If the sales tax is approved, funds will be managed by a new independent oversight committee comprised of five members of the public appointed to review expenditures and recommend the use of the new tax proceeds, “to ensure that the dollars are used for services and programs that matter to the community,” according to the City in a news release.
In addition, Measure S requires that all new TUT revenues be subject to an annual audit of all tax revenues received and expenditures, accompanied by an annual report from the city manager and city finance director that reviews the status and performance of programs and services funded with tax proceeds.
