Voice of the People: I Have a Little Concern

I have a little concern with the Measure C item on the November ballot. I will not address any issues such as: • Mismanagement of public funds • Electronic sign cost of $70,000 • Questionable spending of Redevelopment Funds Have both sides of Measure C looked at the indirect cost of the Measure if it is passed? The Measure will levy a 5% tax on utility bills. Based on my last month’s utility bills, my monthly cost would be $28 per month. This would equal to a tax levy of $336 per year for six years. Over the course of six years, the tax levy would be $2,016. The indirect costs would be the tax levy for businesses in the city. I will address one business that most residents of Grand Terrace utilize: Stater Bros. Market. The business will be assessed with the same 5% tax levy as the local residents. I will assume that Stater Bros. will pass on the 5% levy through an increase of prices to cover the levy. I purchase at least $100 in products from Stater Bros. per week (a low estimate). This would equate to $5 a week. So, my costs would increase from $100 to $105 per week. Over a 52-week period (one year) I would be paying an increase of $260 per annum. The six-year cost for my family would equal to $1560. By adding the 5% utility tax of $2,016 and the increase of food costs at Stater Bros. of $1,560, the total cost would be $3,576. I will assume many of the businesses in Grand Terrace will want to recoup their additional cost. I urge every resident to take the time to find a total cost for their family if Measure C is passed.