FILE PHOTO City leaders are asking San Fernando voters to approve Measure SF, Keep Sales Tax Revenues Local on Nov. 3. Measure SF ensures the maximum amount of sales tax revenues generated in San Fernando remains in San Fernando and aims to replace Measure A due to expire this year. Measure SF promises to increase funding for street and sidewalk improvements, public infrastructure, local business reinvestment, public Wi-Fi, long-term debt reduction and wage and other general municipal purposes. If passed the sales tax in San Fernando would increase to 10.25% from the current 10%. The city’s general fund woes began its downward spiral in 2005 in what city leaders call a chain of events that led to a perfect storm. Short-term measures to get out of debt included the elimination of vacant positions, reduced employee benefits, layoffs and furloughs. No department was spared. Among the steps city leaders took to reduce the deficit included renegotiated contracts with the fire department and partners in operating its pool, sold surplus property to pay off debt and declared a fiscal emergency resulting in a special election on June 4, 2013, to vote in a temporary half-cent sales tax measure to raise revenue, […]
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