The 16-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee met for the first time Tuesday night, days before Chula Vista’s sales tax increases from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent.
The temporary 10-year half-cent general tax voted on by 68 percent of Chula Vista voters in November will go into effect April 1. It is estimated that the city will collect about $178 million during the time the tax is in effect.
Monies generated from the tax will be used to improve and repair the city’s infrastructure such as the replacement of storm drains, the improvement of city parks and upgrading police and fire equipment.
COC at-large District 1 member Paula Whitsell initially spoke out against the tax measure. Whitsell along with the Republican Party of San Diego County wrote an opposition to the ballot measure arguing that the general tax measure would hurt residents who can least afford the tax.
Whitsell said she disagreed with the tax because there was no guarantee that taxes will be used for infrastructure and will be used for other things such as pensions and employee salary increases.
She said now that she is a committee member she will do the best she can to make sure the monies received from the tax is used properly.
“Voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of this added tax,” she said. “Now I want to make sure the voters get what they voted for.”
Whitsell said the committee’s first meeting was a success and it showed her that the city is really committed to being transparent with Measure P spending.
“The city is serious about making sure Measure P money is used for what it is intended for,” she said.
In their first meeting, city staff clarified the need for the COC. The committee will be tasked with reviewing and commenting on a spending plan, and finance department and auditor reports. The preparation of annual report with a presentation to the city council and work with city staff to identify the best practices for tracking and reporting revenues and expenditures.
The next COC meeting is scheduled for April 18 where a chairman and vice chairman will be selected.
