BELLFLOWER : Council Rejects Ballot Measure to Weigh Tax

The City Council narrowly rejected a proposed ballot measure that would have sought voter opinion on whether to keep the city’s 5% utility tax.

The council majority said the measure, which would have cost nearly $20,000, would be a waste of money.

“We have qualified council people and we’re elected to make decisions,” said Councilman Ray T. Smith, who joined Mayor Ken Cleveland and Councilman Randy Bomgaars in rejecting the proposal. “That’s what a representative government does.”

Councilman Art Olivier, who opposes the tax, had proposed the advisory measure for the November ballot. He said he wanted to poll the community before the council decides in December whether to continue the tax, which currently pays for law enforcement. “It’s necessary to allow people to be part of the political process,” said Olivier. “The way to validate this tax is to let people vote on it.”

Councilwoman Ruth Gilson agreed. “I feel the voters should always have a chance to decide on any tax,” she said. “They weren’t given a chance on this one.”

The utility tax--Bellflower’s first--was narrowly approved by the council in October. The tax costs the average household about $5 a month and is expected to generate about $2.5 million a year to pay for more sheriff’s deputies and other city services.