The City of Atascadero is currently collecting answers about the possibility of a 1% sales tax increase for general fund use. Here are the questions and options.
How long have you lived in the City of Atascadero?
Less than 1 year
1 to 4 years
5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years
15 years or longer
Prefer not to answer
How would you rate the overall quality of life in Atascadero?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
If the city government could change one thing to make Atascadero a better place to live now and in the future, what change would you like to see?
Please provide your response in the text box below or check the appropriate box.
No changes needed/Everything is fine
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
Generally speaking, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the job the City of Atascadero is doing to provide city services?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
Later this year, voters in Atascadero may be asked to vote on a local ballot measure. Below is a summary of the measure.
To provide funding for general city services in the City of Atascadero, such as:
- Police and crime prevention
- Fire protection, paramedics, and 9-1-1 emergency response
- Maintenance of parks, public facilities and infrastructure
- And recreation, community services, and other city services
Shall an ordinance establishing a one-cent sales tax be adopted, providing approximately 5 million dollars annually for city services until ended by voters, with annual independent audits and all money locally controlled?
If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on this measure?
Definitely Yes
Probably Yes
Probably No
Definitely No
Not Sure
Prefer not to answer
IF YES: The measure described previously will provide funding for a variety of services in your community. Assuming the measure passes, please indicate the extent to which you would favor or oppose using some of the money for each of the purposes shown below:
- Attracting more retail stores, restaurants and entertainment options to our city
- Repair and maintain public facilities and infrastructure
- Provide recreation programs and community services
- Provide fire protection and paramedic services
- Retrofit the City’s 70 year-old fire station so that it is earthquake safe and can operate in an emergency
- Provide quick responses to 9-1-1 emergencies
- Provide police services, including crime prevention and investigations
- Keep public areas clean and free of graffiti
- Maintain parks and recreation facilities including courts, fields, and playgrounds
- Maintain and enhance zoo exhibits
Strongly Favor
Somewhat Favor
Somewhat Oppose
Strongly Oppose
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
IF NO: Is there a particular reason why you do not support or are unsure about the measure?
Please briefly describe your reason in the text box below or check the appropriate box.
No particular reason
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
People may say different things about the proposed measure.
Shown below are different statements that supporters of the measure may say. For each statement, please indicate whether you think it is a very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not at all convincing reason to SUPPORT the measure?
- There will be a clear system of accountability including independent audits and annual reports to the community to ensure that the money is spent properly.
- We have fewer police officers today than we did 10 years ago – meanwhile our population and the number of 9-1-1 emergency calls continues to grow. We need more police officers to keep our community safe.
- Wildland fires are getting larger, faster, and deadlier. We need to make sure we have the resources and staff to respond quickly to wildfire emergencies when they happen.
- This measure will cost just 1 dollar for every 100 dollars purchased – and food, medicine and many other essential items are excluded from the tax.
- Fast emergency response times for 9-1-1 calls are critical for saving lives. This measure will ensure that we have enough police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and paramedics to respond quickly to 9-1-1 emergencies.
- The City has done a good job keeping costs down. Over the past 10 years it has deferred maintenance projects, reduced staff, and cut back on basic services. There is no more room to cut if we want to keep our community a safe, clean place to live. We need to support this measure.
- All money raised by the measure will be used to fund essential services and facilities here in Atascadero. By law, it can’t be taken away by the State.
- This measure will provide the funding needed to avoid deep cuts in all service areas, including police, fire protection, 9-1-1 emergency response times, the maintenance of parks and public facilities, as well as programs for youth.
- The funding raised by this measure will allow the City to keep up with basic repairs and maintenance to public facilities and infrastructure. If we don’t take care of it now, it will be a lot more expensive to repair in the future.
- By keeping our city safe, clean and well-maintained, this measure will help protect our property values and keep Atascadero a special place to live.
Very Convincing
Somewhat Convincing
Not At All Convincing
Don’t Believe
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
Shown below are different statements that opponents of the measure may say. For each statement, please indicate whether you think it is a very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not at all convincing reason to OPPOSE the measure?
- City employees are making too much money in salary, pensions and benefits – that’s the problem. The City needs to tighten its belt before asking residents to pay more taxes.
- Taxes are already too high – we can’t afford another tax increase. This is especially true for seniors and others on fixed-incomes.
- We can’t trust the City with our tax dollars. They will mismanage the money.
- There are no guarantees on how funds will be spent, which means the City can divert the money to pet projects.
Very Convincing
Somewhat Convincing
Not At All Convincing
Don’t Believe
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
What if the measure we just described raised the sales tax by a lower amount: one-half cent? Would you vote yes or no on the measure?
Definitely Yes
Probably Yes
Probably No
Definitely No
Not Sure
Prefer not to answer
The City of Atascadero operates the Charles Paddock zoo, which is the Central Coast’s only accredited zoo. In a typical year, the City spends about 500 thousand dollars of its general fund budget to operate and maintain the zoo.
In your opinion, should the City keep the zoo open or should the zoo be closed to save money?
Keep the zoo open
Close the zoo to save money
Prefer not to answer
In your opinion, has the City of Atascadero done an excellent, good, fair, poor or very poor job of managing its financial resources?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Very poor
Not Sure
Prefer not to answer
Do you have children under the age of 18 living in your household?
Yes
No
Prefer not to answer
And finally, please indicate your gender.
Male
Female
Prefer not to answer
If you have any taxing questions, contact the City Administration at (805) 461-5000 or contact your citycouncil@atascadero.org
Read more about the potential tax here.
