Manteca Mayor Ben Cantu is not the bogeyman.
Nor is he a modern version of Nostradamus.
Yet, the second he dares utter the two words “tax increase” it queues up the pitchfork and torch crowds.
Cantu as a member of the City Council does not have the unilateral ability to increase taxes.
Nor does he have the ability working in concert with two council colleagues to impose new or increased taxes.
Rest assured his consistent pushing for a ballot measure to have the people for which the City of Manteca exists to serve decide the level of government amenities and services they want will be a major issue in the upcoming mayoral election.
The tax is a potential increase in sales tax.
A one cent jump would generate $19 million annually or roughly a 30 percent increase in today’s general fund that covers the cost of day-to-day municipal services such as police and fire services as well as street upkeep.
Given the door is for all practical purposes is closed on the 2022 election in order to place such a measure on the ballot debating taxes now seems kind of moot.
After all, the next time under California law a tax measure can be put before the voters in the 2024 general election cycle.
And if approved then the additional revenue wouldn’t reach municipal coffers until late 2025.
That is exactly why now is the right time to have the discussion.
Unlike the successful half cent Measure M public safety tax that originated in the community and not from municipal staff teaming up…
