Only one man spoke at the June 6 public hearing regarding still another property tax-this one to bolster the floundering finances of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Much of the audience had drifted home when the public hearing began at almost 11 p.m. in Malibu. Only one speaker made it to the podium.
Wade Major cautioned the school board that ownership of a high-value property might not indicate the ability to pay a high tax.
“The sad irony is that many people who live on a budget are forced to do so because government officials cannot live on theirs. Many homeowners have lived on their parcels for 20, 30, 40, 50 years. Your problems are not their fault and their resolution should not be their burden.”
The SMMUSD is facing a shortfall of $2.9 million at the end of this fiscal year and even greater deficits thereafter. The proposed parcel tax would add a flat amount (to be determined) to property taxes in Malibu and Santa Monica-subject to the approval of the voters this November. The measure comes on the heels of Measure U, a $160-million college bond issue that was passed by the voters in March.
Nevertheless, the ad hoc committee appointed to study the issue seems to feel it’s the only way.
“The committee is united that we absolutely do need a second parcel tax, based on the state of the nation and based on the situation in Sacramento,” said Chair Neil Carrey. “They unanimously agreed that, no matter what the polls show, the property tax will not be for additional funds from other sources.”
The number of committee members is 28. The board has decided to go no higher than 30.
“It seems like a large committee, but when it’s broken down into the work and the subcommittees, it’s really not.”
The group has divided itself into three subcommittees. The Polling Committee is putting together the survey, which will be conducted shortly, and analyze the results. The Finance Committee is “working on the numbers,” Carrey said. The Expenditures Committee is looking into the needs of the school district and possible uses for the proposed parcel tax.
A survey designed to gauge residents’ receptiveness to a new tax has been completed and went to the pollsters during the weekend. The results will be presented June 12 at 7 p.m. in the SMMUSD offices, 1651-16th Street.
“We do hope, barring unforeseen difficulties, that we will have a recommendation on the 17th,” Carrey said.
The ballot language will be ready June 27.
“I’m trying to achieve a simplicity of language that my colleagues at the race track will understand after their tenth beer,” Carrey quipped.
Later in the meeting, the district again rearranged out-of-district permit priorities. The new order is as follows:
1. Employees of SMMUSD working 15 hours or more.
2. Students entering grades K, 1, 6 or 9 who have siblings either in the SMMUSD or who have graduated within the past three years.
3. Intra-district permits for children who live in the district, but whose parents would rather shift them to a school other than the one closest to them.
4. Employees of the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.