Councilman Gary Felien, just elected last November in Oceanside, believes the city’s “Crash Tax” isn’t working and is moving to repeal it. “Other cities around the county and state are using Oceanside’s crash tax as a justification to pass their own version,” Felien told Rostra. “It’s time to let them know that this tax isn’t working and will never work.”
His press release…
Councilmember Felien Moves to Repeal Oceanside Crash Tax
OCEANSIDE, CA – Oceanside City Councilman Gary Felien announced today that he is taking steps to repeal the city’s Fees for Emergency Services Ordinance, better known as the “crash tax.”
The item was placed on the March 16 City Council meeting agenda and, if approved, will direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to repeal ordinance No. 10-OR0369-1 (Fees for Emergency Services).
“The city has collected approximately 6% of projected revenues, and as far as I’m concerned, these fees represent double taxation and brands Oceanside as a predator city. As a beach and destination community, we should strive to welcome visitors, not frighten them away with over-reaching policies,” Felien stated.
The crash tax was approved in May 2010 and has failed to meet revenue projections, which were estimated at $266,011. As of February 2011, the city had receipts totaling $15,948 with an additional $2,867 in process.
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Comments 7
Go get ’em Gary! Taxes paid by residents are supposed to cover government service – so why do they need an extra tax/fee to cover what they should already be doing? It is double taxation.
Marie,
Please eliminate all permitting fees, inspection fees, parking meters, and anything else the city does to collect money except for sales and property taxes. Everything else is double taxation. Let’s make Escondido the envy of Rostrafarians everywhere.
Marie Waldron uses her own name, stands for election and makes Real decisions in the Real World. Poor little ignorant Alger snipes at the adults with strained attempts at ponderous sarcasm. Note the difference.
Interesting that I am criticized for not using my real name by someone who doesn’t use his/her real name.
More importantly Mr. Difference, you didn’t address my point: Can you tell me exactly what taxes are supposed to pay for what services and maybe throw-in what fees are appropriate vs. what fees would be considered double-taxation?
Author
Ben Sullivan of Oceanside Councilman Jerry Kern’s office writes…
The Oceanside “Crash-Tax” Ordinance was adopted to bill non-residents for fire department responses to accidents within the Oceanside city limits. Traditionally, fire services are paid for by residents of every city to respond to all incidents regardless of their residency.
The current trend for most California cities to adopt something like this could eventually impact almost every California resident having to pay such a “tax” as most motor vehicle accidents occur within 25 miles of home. For those unfortunate local citizens and tourists, this just means more taxes for the same service.
As cities become strapped for cash, they look for ways to increase fees and taxes. In Oceanside’s case this “Crash Tax” ordinance was adopted May 5, 2010. The Fire Chief over sold the program when he estimated “revenue for the upcoming budget year is a conservatively estimated at $266,000”. As of this week (over 8
months into the budget year) they have collected approximately $15,000.
When the Fire Chief was asked by Coucil Member Kern, “have you adjusted your budget in anticipation of this shortfall?” he responded, “no”. When asked if he planned to adjust his budget, he said, “no”.
Council Member Kern and Felien are now moving to remove this trend to “tax on top of taxes.” (A recent) article from the LA Times includes Oceanside as a “predatory city”. This is not quite the image that Oceanside needs, as it depends on tourism dollars to help support the local economy.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ELIMINATION OF THE CRASH TAX IN OCEANSIDE WHICH WILL BE VOTED ON THIS WEDNESDAY.
YOU MAY CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL AT: council@ci.oceanside.ca.us
Perhaps we SHOULD have a crash tax on visitors — indeed, billing them for ANY use of city services. If a visitor gets mugged or shot, they should pay for the police to take the report.
But, to be fair, such visitors perhaps should then get a partial exemption from the city sales tax, and lower fees for parking meters.
And maybe we need a complex system of property tax relief for retailers to reflect the percentage of business they do with visitors.
Indeed, our T.O.T. seem to gouge visitors unfairly, given that we will charge/fine them for using city services.
The crash tax scheme would have brought a tear to the eye of Boss Hogg in Hazzard County.