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Sutter County residents will decide this fall whether to approve a one-cent sales tax increase to improve water supply, public safety, emergency response and a host of other services after county leaders voted Tuesday to place the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
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Tuesday’s unanimous decision by the Sutter County Board of Supervisors in Yuba City sends the Sutter County Safety/Water Protection Measure to voters. Residents of Yuba City and Live Oak will also vote on the countywide tax measure this fall. Sales tax rates are currently 7.25% in Sutter County, Yuba City and Live Oak.
The measure would generate an estimated $22.5 million a year, according to county officials.
The 1% tax increase, if approved by a simple majority of county voters, would take effect April 1 and remain in place until residents vote to end it, county officials said.
Sutter County leaders said in a statement following the afternoon vote that the added tax revenue would help offset state budget cuts to local services while addressing residents’ requests for improvements to public works and emergency services.
“Sutter County residents have told us loud and clear that maintaining basic safety, water, and street services matter to them. Because of actions by the State of California, we’ve already made significant cuts to non-safety services, and more cuts are coming — this time to fire, sheriff, and 911 response,” Sutter County Administrator Steven Smith said. “Sutter County residents should decide what happens next, and this November they’ll get that chance.”
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Sutter County leaders also cited a recent county grand jury report that identified serious fire protection concerns in the county and Live Oak, including outdated equipment, personnel shortages and a lack of funding.
In Yuba City, grand jurors identified roads as a concern, calling the city’s road repair funds “severely deficient.”
Smith said funding would also go toward maintaining firefighter and deputy response times in a rural county where he said 911 response can take up to 15 minutes, as well as keeping fire stations open.
“Any emergency — a heart attack or a house fire — requires a rapid response,” Smith said. “The funding this measure would provide can help keep response times low, protect our community, and keep all local fire stations open.”
Officials from Yuba City and Live Oak worked with Sutter County to craft the measure and gather feedback from residents about a potential tax increase. Sutter County officials said more than 1,800 people responded, identifying fire protection, drinking water and public safety as their top concerns.
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