Keeping to the no-taxes pledge

The Costa Mesa City Council last week raised a number of fees it

charges for use of recreation facilities, building permits and the

often-maligned community garden, among other city services.

Some of the increases appear nominal, such as a rise in costs

related to general-plan amendments, which now will be $2,315 instead

of $2,245 -- slightly more than a 3% upswing. Others, while being

perhaps no greater in dollar amount, are dramatic in terms of the

percentage rise: a 27% increase in the cost of a conditional-use

permit or the 500% increase in the cost for residents using the

garden.

These changes came a few weeks after the state announced increases

in fees at its parks, including Crystal Cove State Beach. Parking at

Crystal Cove will double, from $5 to $10. A similar jump could be

next at Corona del Mar State Beach, where the prices are set by the

city of Newport Beach.

These fee increases are appearing throughout the state as elected

officials try to offset budget shortfalls without resorting to

raising the dreaded T word. But no one should be fooled. This added

money -- being paid by developers, business owners, vacationers and

residents just going about their day-to-day business -- is in all but

name a tax increase. Saying otherwise amounts to Orwellian political

speech and obfuscation.

Residents of Costa Mesa should respond to their local fee

increases as if they had had their taxes raises. They should be

questioning whether city officials pursued all other avenues before

deciding the fees had to go up. They should be demanding clear,

precise answers to their questions.

In the present fiscal climate, it is not unfathomable that these

increases were absolutely necessary. It is no secret that Sacramento

is taking a big bite out of city budgets. City leaders should not

hesitate to tell residents if that is why they have to pay more to

play at city parks and add on to their homes. Residents deserve to

know how their tax money and fee payments are being used and managed.

If the fees had to go up because Sacramento is stealing from Costa

Mesa’s coffers, say so. We’ll be happy to report it and let anti-tax

fervor point at the proper target.