On June 1, when Mistermayor unveiled his budget proposal, the accompanying press release included the altogether true statement that he had balanced the budget “without any new general tax increases.”
On Tuesday, however, the board passed 19 ordinances (proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom) that increase fees for such things as swimming pools, athletic fields, day camps, tree removal, clubhouse rentals, patient services at San Francisco General and Laguna Honda hospitals, and street-artist licenses.
Then, there’s the 20-cent fee for cigarettes, higher parking fees at Kezar Stadium, a $285 fee owed by fast-food restaurants (to pay the cost of enforcing the nutritional information sign law) and if you need anything from the Fire Department, whether it be a permit or emergency services, be prepared to shell out more than you did last year.
All told, these fee increases are expected to bring in an additional $50 million this fiscal year.
(Controller statement here: Download Statement of Fee Revenues.)
At Budget and Finance Committee hearings, city department representatives argued that San Francisco was heretofore getting ripped off and we need to (gasp!) create some sort of relationship between the cost of doing things and what we charge for them.
Others claimed that we are charging less than neighboring counties for the same services, and obviously that cannot be allowed to continue.
To be fair, there’s $200,000 in scholarship money sitting around to help families who cannot afford the increased costs of enjoying public facilities. But, since almost no one is aware of this assistance, we can only hope that the cost to publicize the scholarships will not exceed the amount of funds themselves.
Basically, if you’re like me — a healthy, childless misanthrope who doesn’t eat fast food (despite loving it) or have a car — life will pretty much go on as before (thanks, Gavin!). Otherwise, be prepared to pay The City a little more this year, even without a
general tax increase.
Note this SFAppeal story re: when Gavin says a fee is a tax and when it ain't.
BONUS: Here are the fee increases
Download Afterschool Fees
Download Fire Dept License Fees
Mel:
I am afraid that that the worse is yet to come. You do not fall into the kind of economic crisis we are enduring and magically come out of it by going about your life doing business as usual.
Someone has to pay and if history is to be trusted, we the people, even those that do not have cars and don't eat junk food, will end up paying for the mess.
When and how much I do not know but one thing is certain, we will all pay.
The fee increases are just the confetti!
Posted by: Mousqueton | July 16, 2009 at 22:42
"You shall not crucify San Franciscans upon a cross of fees" - to mangle the words of the late William Jennings Bryant...
Posted by: gdewar | July 17, 2009 at 09:31
In addition to the fees Supervisors are proposing more taxes and set-asides for the November ballot.
Daly: Set aside to pay for "progressives" political campaigns
Avalos: .1% gross receipts tax on business & .5% sales tax increase
Chiu: Payroll expense tax.
Chiu & Dufty: Local assessment on vehicles (car tax)
Avalos& Mirkarimi: Parcel tax
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At Budget and Finance Committee hearings, city department representatives argued that San Francisco was heretofore getting ripped off and we need to (gasp!) create some sort of relationship between the cost of doing things and what we charge for them.
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