Keep tax temporary

EDITOR,
Stephany Aguilar might be right in her assertion that Scotts Valley will need the continuation of the quarter-cent sales tax in the future (Commentary, “You can ‘C’,” Sept. 17). It is entirely possible that the economy could get worse over the next two years. That said, there is a larger issue here. I voted for the temporary quarter-cent tax because our local councilpersons told the public that the tax was necessary and that the tax was to be considered temporary. As I understood it, the city reserves were under $500,000, something needed to be done, and the tax was the best solution. The public agreed and the tax passed, with the understanding that the sales tax increase was a temporary tax.
When I compare the city reserves of $2.25 million to the reserves of a few years ago, it appears the tax worked according to plan. As of today, the city budget looks sound. One could even predict with some confidence that the budget surplus will get the city through the next two years. Since this is no emergency, I think our local politicians should remember the promises of the previous council and work to see they are kept. Future council members may need to sell a tax, and if extending Measure C fails, selling a future “temporary” tax is going to be a very tough sell.
I would say this to Ms. Aguilar: Scotts Valley voters are smart. If the tax is absolutely necessary in the future, we’ll vote for it then.
I have a lot of respect for the present and past councilpersons of Scotts Valley. It’s a lot of work for little pay and listening to a lot of grumbling, and they do it to benefit our city. Aguilar has her heart in the right place, but she needs to see there is a bigger picture here. Keep the promise of the temporary tax. If it becomes necessary, we can vote it back in 2012.
Mike Duffy, Scotts Valley