Chowchilla council votes to put public safety tax on Nov. ballot

Chowchilla’s City Council has voted to put a public safety tax on the November ballot, following a survey, begun last year to assess the public’s support for such a tax.

The tax, if approved by voters, would be a 1 percent sales tax on retail transactions. It would last for eight years unless renewed by voters.

The money would be restricted for police and fire personnel and equipment. It also would fund crime prevention and fire prevention programs.

The ballot measure also would create a citizens oversight committee to oversee the administration and expenditure of revenues raised by the tax, and to make recommendations for city council approval on public-safety-related budgets. The committee would have five members, one appointed by each city council member, and serving a term that is the same as the council members who appoint them.