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BRIEF: Tax extension in Rialto to be discussed tonight by City CouncilRIALTO, Nov 13, 2012 (San Bernardino County Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- In the the aftermath of a failed ballot measure that would have brought millions in revenue annually, the City Council tonight will discuss bringing to voters an extension of the utility-users tax to help stave off a financial collapse. A loss of the tax would mean "major cutbacks and additional layoffs to prevent bankruptcy," according to a staff report approved by City Administrator Mike Story. The tax accounts for around $11 million annually, or roughly 23 percent of General Fund revenue. According to the staff report, the loss of the tax, which is set to sunset in June, "can be described as catastrophic when added to the existing deficit spending situation." Combined with the $11 million structural deficit, the tax loss would create a General Fund shortfall of more than $21 million. The council meets at 6 p.m., 150 S. Palm Ave. Reach Josh via email, call him at 909-386-3894, or find him on Twitter at @RialtoNow. ___ (c)2012 the San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, Calif.) Visit the San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, Calif.) at www.sbsun.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |