Supervisors voted 4-0 to direct county counsel to draft the question that could appear on the ballot in November, potentially raising the sales tax in the unincorporated county from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent.
Fifth District Supervisor Leticia Perez was absent from the meeting.
Facing an Aug. 10 deadline, the supervisors have one scheduled meeting left, on July 24, to decide on giving unincorporated county voters the opportunity to raise their sales tax 1 cent for every dollar spent.
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood brought the proposal to the supervisors. He said his department needs the funds to bolster the ranks of deputies, which have been depleted after years of lean budgets.
Complicating the matter is a measure already approved by the Bakersfield City Council that could result in a 1 percent sales tax increase for city transactions.
If passed, the city plans to spend the money partially on public safety measures.
You may recall that this Youngblood is the same red-neck buffoon who said that it is better “financially” to kill suspects than to “cripple” them.
via Over objections, county sales tax measure survives first hurdle | News | bakersfield.com
www.CalNews.com 