CITY. SPECIFICALLY, WE’RE STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE MANGINI RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE A TOWN HALL MEETING IS SET FOR TONIGHT AT 6 P.M. THE KEY TOPIC AS ADVERTISED ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE IS ADDRESSING THE CITY’S GROWING FINANCIAL DOWNFALL. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE CITY OF FOLSOM. HOWEVER, WHAT’S NOT ADVERTISED IN THE CITY’S ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THIS TOWN HALL IS THE LOOMING VOTE ON MEASURE G IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION. THAT WOULD BE A 1% SALES TAX INCREASE IN THE CITY OF FOLSOM, ACCORDING TO CITY LEADERS. FOLSOM FACING A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IN ITS BUDGET, PARTLY BECAUSE SALES TAX GROWTH HAS SLOWED THE CITY. HOLDING THIS TOWN HALL TO OUTLINE WHAT POTENTIAL CUTS COULD POTENTIALLY BE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THIS DEFICIT. WITHOUT SOMETHING LIKE A SALES TAX INCREASE. BY THE WAY, THAT SALES TAX INCREASE COULD RAISE $29 MILLION A YEAR. HOWEVER, OPPONENTS OF MEASURE G SAYS THAT THIS IS ALL REALLY ABOUT THE CITY HAVING A QUOTE, SPENDING PROBLEM, NOT A REVENUE PROBLEM. IN FACT, A COUPLE OF THINGS. THEY POINT OUT THE CITY MANAGER’S SALARY GREW FROM 190 TO 270,000 IN 2022, AND THAT MORE THAN 340 CITY EMPLOYEES MADE OVER $100,000 IN COMPENSATION TO THOSE OPPONENTS. THEY SAY THAT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE A CITY THAT IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY. WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO THIS SCHOOL. TONIGHT, MANGINI RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BEGINNING AT 6 P.M. CITY LEADERS SAY THEY WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION IN THIS CITY AND THEN WE’LL TAKE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE CITY OF FOLSOM, OUTSIDE MANGIN
A spending or a revenue problem? Folsom finances lead debate over vote on sales tax increase
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Updated: 10:23 AM PDT Oct 10, 2024
The city of Folsom will hold a town hall meeting Thursday evening to address the city's "growing financial outlook that could impact public services and the quality of life in Folsom," read an announcement on the city's website.The city's announcement said the town hall will include a presentation of the city's finances, as its expenses are growing faster than revenues.On the ballot this November is Measure G. An explanation prepared by a city attorney describes it as: "The measure to enact a 1 percent transaction and use tax (sales tax), providing approximately $29 million annually until ended by voters, requiring local control, citizen oversight, independent annual audits, all funds staying in Folsom and the proceeds used only for the following: 20% - police services, 20% - fire protection, 15% - parks/trail improvement, 15% - traffic/street maintenance, 15% - community enhancement/economic development, and 15% - major capital improvement projects, according to an explanation prepared by the city attorney."Folsom has a revenue problem, not a spending problem," read a statement in support of Measure G in the voter guide. "Online shopping and buying trends have significantly reduced revenue - adversely affecting services to Folsom residents."However, opponents disagree."Folsom has a spending problem, not a revenue problem," read an excerpt of the opposition to Measure G in the voter guide. "Measure G claims that Folsom needs more revenue, but city revenue has grown from $66 million in 2012 to over $109 Million in 2022!"Opponents of the measure said the city had more than 340 employees who received more than $100,000 in compensation, questioning the use of taxpayers' dollars. Supporters offered a rebuttal to that claim. They explained Folsom currently has 77 fewer employees, including police officers and firefighters, than it did in 2008. They also argued that the city uses part-time employees, eliminated new employee retiree health benefits and required employees to pay more for benefits. That town hall is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. inside Mangini Ranch Elementary School, 4640 Sparrow Drive.More information about Measure G can be found here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
The city of Folsom will hold a town hall meeting Thursday evening to address the city's "growing financial outlook that could impact public services and the quality of life in Folsom," read an announcement on the city's website.
The city's announcement said the town hall will include a presentation of the city's finances, as its expenses are growing faster than revenues.
On the ballot this November is Measure G. An explanation prepared by a city attorney describes it as:
"The measure to enact a 1 percent transaction and use tax (sales tax), providing approximately $29 million annually until ended by voters, requiring local control, citizen oversight, independent annual audits, all funds staying in Folsom and the proceeds used only for the following: 20% - police services, 20% - fire protection, 15% - parks/trail improvement, 15% - traffic/street maintenance, 15% - community enhancement/economic development, and 15% - major capital improvement projects, according to an explanation prepared by the city attorney.
"Folsom has a revenue problem, not a spending problem," read a statement in support of Measure G in the voter guide. "Online shopping and buying trends have significantly reduced revenue - adversely affecting services to Folsom residents."
However, opponents disagree.
"Folsom has a spending problem, not a revenue problem," read an excerpt of the opposition to Measure G in the voter guide. "Measure G claims that Folsom needs more revenue, but city revenue has grown from $66 million in 2012 to over $109 Million in 2022!"
Opponents of the measure said the city had more than 340 employees who received more than $100,000 in compensation, questioning the use of taxpayers' dollars.
Supporters offered a rebuttal to that claim. They explained Folsom currently has 77 fewer employees, including police officers and firefighters, than it did in 2008. They also argued that the city uses part-time employees, eliminated new employee retiree health benefits and required employees to pay more for benefits.
That town hall is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. inside Mangini Ranch Elementary School, 4640 Sparrow Drive.
More information about Measure G can be found here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
