The La Mesa City Council voted this week to hire a consultant who would help get the word out to residents about the city's budget deficit.
The council voted 4-1 Tuesday to sign a contract for up to $158,000 with the LEW Edward Group, an Oakland-based company.
The city signed a contract this year with the same company for $41,000, with a travel budget of up to $2,500, to poll residents about city services and whether they would support a hike in the city's sales tax rate.
Results of the survey showed that 64 percent of the 400 voters polled would support a three-quarters-of-a-cent increase to help pay for general services. The number climbed to 73 percent when voters were given more information about the state budget deficit and its drain on La Mesa's finances.
The city is struggling with an ongoing budget deficit expected to reach $4 million in fiscal 2009. The council is thinking about putting a sales tax measure on the November ballot but has yet to make a decision. Any increase in taxes would need voter approval.
Councilwoman Ruth Sterling voted against hiring the consultant because she said she doesn't think the city should be asking residents to pay higher taxes.
“To me, to raise taxes is the easy way out,” Sterling said.
That set off a sometimes-heated debate between Sterling and the other four council members, including Mayor Art Madrid, who accused Sterling of being an alarmist.
“It's simplistic to suggest that we can tighten our belts,” Madrid said.
The council majority said the city continues to look at other ways to generate revenue, but none of the ideas will come to fruition in time to fix the deficit. La Mesa has been frugal, they said, but has no control over inflation, the rising costs of materials or the state, which has in the past raided city coffers to balance its own budget.
“There's no hidden money anywhere,” Councilman Mark Arapostathis said. “This is not a city that spends recklessly.”
Liz Neely: (619) 593-4961; liz.neely@uniontrib.com
