On Tuesday, July 29, the Sacramento City Council narrowly rejected to place a sales tax measure on the Nov. 8 ballot to fight gang violence.
The council’s final vote was 5-4. A total of six votes were needed to get the anti-gang measure to the voters. Those who were in favor of the the tax increase were as follows: Mayor Heather Fargo, Rob Fong, Kevin McCarty, Bonnie Pannell and Ray Treathway. Those who opposed the increase were as follows: Steve Cohn, Lauren Hammond, Sandy Sheedy and Robbie Waters.
In the previous meeting, Councilwoman Hammond had abstained from the vote, while Councilman Cohn was absent.
Had the measure been placed on the ballot, voters would be looking to approve or reject a sales tax increase from 7.75 percent to 8 percent. The result would be about a $16 million revenue boost in its first year, resulting in an increase of law enforcement personnel and money funneling to gang prevention programs from community-based organizations that would work directly with youth.
According to a December 2007 KCRA.com news report, law enforcement officers estimate that there are about 50 to 80 new gang members every month. The report also states that there are 223 different gangs in the county as well as 3,500 validated gang members.
There were many community members on hand at the July 29 city council meeting to either offer their support, such as Assemblyman Dave Jones and Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, or to voice their opposition.
Originally, this measure was before the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, but did not find enough support to pass. Mayor Fargo then retooled the measure and brought it before the city council.
SOURCES: City of Sacramento City Council Tuesday, July 29 meeting summary (PDF) , SacBee.com