MCFARLAND, Calif. (KBAK/KBAK) As the Nov. 4 special election approaches, McFarland residents will vote on Measure C, a proposal to raise the city’s sales tax by 1%, from 8.25% to 9.25%.
McFarland Mayor Manuel Ayon emphasized the measure’s potential benefits, stating, “Measure C is just not your regular sales tax measure. This is a measure that’s investing in our community.”
The additional revenue is intended to restore lost services, particularly in parks and recreation.
“We’ve lost a lot of programs in the parks and rec in the last ten years, if not longer, due to a lot of things – mismanagement – a lot of other cities have these services that we don’t,” Ayon said.
He highlighted the absence of a community pool as a safety concern, noting, “A lot of our kids have not had the ability to learn how to swim, which is a basic need.”
Despite California’s high sales tax rate, Ayon argued that the tax could save residents money by reducing the need to travel to nearby cities for services.
“Isn’t it more of an expense for residents to get in their vehicle, go to Delano, Wasco, or Shafter, who can afford it, and it’s going to cost them the high price of gas, getting in their vehicle, and the cost to get over there?” he asked.
Mayor Ayon said an oversight committee will be formed to ensure the tax funds are allocated to the proper resources around McFarland.
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The McFarland City Council will meet Wednesday night to discuss the measure’s impact.