Arroyo Grande is ‘fraying at the edges.’ A 1-cent sales tax increase would fix that | Opinion

The best investments look to a better future. That’s always been the case, and one opportunity to do just that is available in Arroyo Grande: Measure E-24 on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

This measure asks voters to approve a 1% percent increase in the local sales tax — only one penny more on the dollar —to improve the city’s infrastructure and our quality of life.

Arroyo Grande does not have a sufficient tax base to maintain its aging facilities. Passing Measure E-24 would raise $6 million annually to be used for repairs and improvements to local streets, upgrade aging infrastructure and maintain 911 emergency services, including fire protection, police and crime prevention. Funding would also go toward parks and recreation programs and homeless services.

Safeguards are baked into the measure

Locals would not be alone in contributing revenue, since a substantial amount of the city’s sales tax revenue comes from tourists.

Expenditures would be audited and reported to citizens annually, and as another safeguard, there is a sunset clause in the measure that requires a majority vote of citizens to continue the tax past 2035.

The Arroyo Grande City Council has done a fiscally responsible job, especially considering what a stretch many things have become.

We enjoy an enviable quality of life in AG, but there’s some noticeable fraying at the edges. We have the opportunity to pay less for repairs now, or share the burden of a greater expense later should we fail to act.

For roads that are in excellent-to-good condition and in need of just small repairs, the cost for paving materials runs between $4.50 and $10 per square yard. For at-risk roads in need of overlay material, the cost goes up to $36. Poor or failed roadways can cost up to $117 per square yard.

AG has 73 miles of roadway with 31% in the at-risk category, 35% in the poor category and 8% in the failed category. It is quite apparent that tending to the streets is an urgent necessity and buying in at the lower price is advantageous and fiscally responsible.

Surrounding cities already have higher tax

The sales tax in Arroyo Grande is now 7.75%, but the city receives only 1.5%, with the rest going to the state and the county.

As AG residents, we are already shopping and investing in other, nearby communities — including Santa Maria, Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Atascadero, and Paso Robles — where the sales tax is already 8.75%. This would bring us up to parity and allow nonresidents to invest in us.

Arroyo Grande residents overwhelmingly responded to a poll conducted by the city and reported a 90% favorable rating for the quality of life here. That speaks to an appreciation of many things that make living in AG a true pleasure.

But just like the expenses involved in keeping a household together over time, cities need to refurbish, restore and repair and they need the resources to do so.

We must invest in what is important to us. We must invest in what is important to us and certainly, our city is a paramount element in our enjoyment of this beautiful place. We must tend to the “household” needs and make sure the investment bears fruit in the future. We need it for all of us in Arroyo Grande, and together we can pass Measure E-24 on the Nov. 5 ballot to do this.

Keith Storton is a former Arroyo Grande City Councilmember. He chairs Citizens in Support of Arroyo Grande Measure E-24.

This story was originally published September 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM.