Headding, Davis and Barton win in Morro Bay as voters back sales tax
Morro Bay voters gave a resounding endorsement to continue moving ahead with its new water reclamation facility and boosting city coffers with a sales tax increase, handing victories to the three candidates who backed those positions.
Unofficial final election returns showed John Headding winning re-election in the race for mayor, while Robert “Red” Davis and Laurel Barton secured the two open seats on the Morro Bay City Council.
In the mayor’s race, Headding, the incumbent, won with 52.5% of the vote over challenger John Weiss’ 47.5%.
In the council race, Davis led a group of four candidates vying for two open seats with 28% of the vote, followed closely by Barton with 27.6%. Betty Winholtz trailed in third with 22.7%, followed by Richard Sadowski with 21.7%.
“I am proud to work for a smart, engaged electorate who never hesitate to tell us what they think and what direction they want the city to move,” Davis said Wednesday.
Morro Bay voters also strongly supported the city’s 1-cent sales tax increase proposal, Measure E-20, by a margin of 60% to 40%.
This year’s mayoral race was a repeat of 2018, in which Headding narrowly beat challenger Weiss. Headding, who supports the continued work on the new wastewater treatment plant and water recycling facility, was countered by Weiss’ position that the project is costing the city too much and needs to be revisited.
Headding said that the city faces financial and looming pension challenges ahead, and he wants to continue his work after six years on the council.
“We’ve revamped our policies from the standpoint of award-winning transparency and increasing our reserve, doubling that over six years,” Headding said. “It’s a challenging time with the financial hit of the pandemic.”
Headding said he’s supportive of the continued work on the wastewater project, saving about $50 million through low-interest loans.
Headding also vowed to continue working with U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office to encourage development of offshore wind energy. He also said he’ll work to add affordable housing and support the vitality of the small business community.
The council race divided opponents along lines of support for the new $126 million project — backed by Davis and Barton while opposed by Winholtz and Sadowski.
Headding, Barton and Davis largely embraced the current direction of the council, which has striven for balanced budgets, improving infrastructure and encouraging a strong visitor-based economy, among other priorities.
Each backed the passage of the sales tax measure, which is expected to buoy the city’s budget with about $2 million in new annual funds.
Weiss, Winholtz and Sadowski opposed the sales tax measure. Each has expressed concerns around the management of the city’s budget and handling of the wastewater construction project, calling for the city to tighten its belt.
Several candidates emphasized the importance of maintaining Morro Bay’s natural beauty and environmental habitat, and vowed to protect natural resources.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s website, the city of Morro Bay has 3,456 Democrats and 2,364 Republicans with 1,746 registered non-partisan voters and the rest split between other parties.
Morro Bay candidates speak on election issues
Headding said that affordable housing is among his goals, noting plans to create 150 new units at the elementary school.
Davis said four of his priorities are affordable, workforce housing; harbor sustainability; a citizens academy to inform residents on how city government runs; and looking at compensation of staff.
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“(Voters in) Morro Bay have told us what they want — continuation of 24/7 police, fire and emergency services, street improvements, clean beaches and parks, water reclamation infrastructure that will make Morro Bay drought-proof and water-independent,” Davis said on Wednesday. “And now it’s council’s job to make that happen.”
Davis added, “We have the lowest paid city of any in the county. And that’s great that people love living here. But it’s not fair and not sustainable, especially for fire and police. They often serve here as a training experience and then leave for better paying jobs elsewhere.”
Barton said that she considers the vote a sign “that people approve of the council’s direction on the Water Reclamation Facility. It also reaffirms seeking the Measure E additional 1 cent sales tax as a way to rebuild the city’s budget after COVID kept visitors away for several months earlier in the year.”
“I hope to prioritize economic development, affordable housing, clean energy, and making sure we have the telecom infrastructure to support work-from-home and new business ventures,” Barton said.
This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 8:47 PM.
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