Voters in Buena Park may decide on a 1% sales tax increase in November after city leaders unanimously voted in favor of adding a ballot measure asking residents to approve of a tax hike.
Buena Park officials say they need more tax dollars for the city’s police department.
This comes two weeks after a report made claims that Buena Park’s police department was severely understaffed and should hire 15 sworn officers along with 10 non-sworn staffers.
The proposal would cost taxpayers about $6 million.
[Read: Can Buena Park Afford to Hire 15 Police Officers?]
“If we steal from other departments and other programs to pay for extra police officers, we will greatly diminish the quality of life for citizens in Buena Park,” said Mayor Susan Sonne during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Our roads will continue to get worse.”
If approved by voters, the city’s sales tax rate would be 8.75% – the second highest sales tax rate in the county alongside cities like Stanton, Placenta, La Palma and Fountain Valley – according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Buena Park anticipates nearly $20 million annually in revenue if voters approve the 1% sales tax hike.
The city’s general fund revenue is ahead of expenditures by $1 million for the current fiscal year.
It comes as other county cities like Orange and Seal Beach grapple with balancing their budgets amid rising costs of essential city services, looking at voters to approve sales tax proposals in November to prevent cuts.
Does Buena Park Need More Cops?
The city’s police department is budgeted $37 million, roughly 40% of the city’s $90 million budget for the current fiscal year.
A report on Buena Park’s police department – which was made public the night before Tuesday’s regular city council meeting – claims that the city’s sworn staffing levels, which has remained the same for over three decades, are too low and that officers are overworked, thus creating issues with retaining officers.
Councilman Connor Traut questioned City Manager Aaron France during Tuesday’s meeting about being able to afford more sworn officers.
“With current revenue, can the city afford to hire the independently recommended 15 new sworn officers and 10 civilian police department positions?” Traut asked.
“No,” France said bluntly.
Traut continued to ask if the city can afford adding new parks as part of the city’s park master plan.
“No we cannot,” France said.
According to a staff report, the money collected into the city’s general fund will be used for police and fire protection, emergency responses, repairing streets and potholes, and other essential services.
“We have an aging population – we have great senior programs. Those programs are going to need more money and those programs deserve to be funded as well,” Mayor Sonne said during the regular meeting.
Echoing her colleagues, Councilwoman Joyce Ahn said that the city needs funds for public spaces, highlighting that projects like a proposed skate park were pulled due to the city’s budget.
“Bottom line is, I support the measure for the people to decide in November and I hope people will agree with us,” she said.
But all of Buena Park City Council agreed on one thing: the police department needs more money.
Councilman Art Brown – who was elected for his first term back in 1990 – said the city has continued to freeze positions in the police department due to the city’s stagnant revenue growth.
“Those positions are not on the street because we can’t afford to put them out there. So the city desperately needs this funding and I hope the citizens give it to us.”
Some people at Tuesday’s meeting during public comment called upon Buena Park officials to add the tax proposal for this year’s ballot to bring in tax dollars for public safety.
Jason Hong, whose family has owned a small business in Buena Park for 15 years, said that it’s not uncommon to find feces and other bodily fluids near his businesses and points out street repairs needed around his area.
“Aside from security issues, the roads have been littered with debris that has led to flat tires on numerous occasions, taking the time and money of citizens and visitors alike,” he said.
Hugo Rios is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. Contact him at hugo.toni.rios@gmail.com or on Twitter @hugoriosss
•••
Can you support Voice of OC with a donation?
You obviously care about local news and value good journalism here in Orange County. With your support, we can bring you more stories like these.