The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to conduct a poll for a countywide half cent sales tax. After the defeat of Measure C, the West Contra Costa Healthcare District nursing staff is urging action for a sales tax to avoid shutdown. Supervisor Piepho and Andersen voiced strong opposition towards the countywide sales tax. The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association questioned the proposed sales tax and what it will fund. Contra Costa County has a combined $3.2 billion unfunded pension liability debt. CoCoTax questioned if it was being used to pay for the pensions. Questions were not answered by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
On May 30 and June 5, the nurses held a public town hall meeting in Hercules and Pleasant Hill for public outreach to keep Doctor’s Medical Hospital open with a countywide sales tax. The county cites how Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties have a similar half cent sales tax. At the same time, many local Contra Costa cities such as Walnut Creek, Pinole and Richmond are considering Nov. sales tax ballot measures. The figure can be more than 10% for some cities. It is important to note that Contra Costa County will soon have some of the highest sales taxes in the state of California.
On Tuesday, June 3rd, the board of supervisors authorized $45,000 to conduct a countywide poll for a Nov. 2014 countywide sales tax. It requires the final vote of four supervisors to submit for a countywide sales tax.
To voice concerns about high sales taxes in Contra Costa County, please contact your supervisor:
District I: Supervisor John Gioia (Represents Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo)
Tel:510-231-8686
E-mail: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/forms.aspx?fid=120
District II: Supervisor Candace Andersen (Lamorinda, San Ramon, Danville, portions of Walnut Creek)
Tel:925-957-8860
E-mail: candace.andersen@bos.cccounty.us
District III: Supervisor Mary Piepho (Brentwood, portions of Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay)
Tel: 925-252-4500
E-mail: Dist3@BOS.CCCounty.us
District IV: Supervisor Karen Mitchoff (Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, portions of Walnut Creek)
Tel:925-521-7100
E-mail: SupervisorMitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
District V: Supervisor Federal Glover (portions of Pinole/Antioch, Hercules, Martinez, Pittsburg, Rodeo)
Tel:510-262-8800
E-mail: district5@bos.cccounty.us
