SDNR Article: Chula Vista's Crash Tax
May 04, 2010 at 11:34 AM
On the evening of the anniversary of Chula Vista voters' rejection of a citywide sales tax increase, the Chula Vista city council placed yet another tax on its agenda.
This time the proposal came in the form of a accident cost recovery fee or "crash tax"-- rendered for costs of services at the scene of an accident. The fees would range from $435 for "scene safety and investigation" up to $2,100. However, this did not sit well with local taxpayer advocates.
"This is a clear case of double taxation. Our tax dollars already pay for this fee." says Chula Vista Civic Association President Ed Herrera who formed the campaign committee to defeat last year's sales tax increase on the May 5th ballot.
Chula Vista Civic Association Director Janette Barreras told TV Azteca that the fee is so unfair to taxpayers that many states are banning them.
The proposal according to the agenda was apparently sponsored by the Fire Department. Lani Lutar of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (which also opposed the sales tax increase of 2009) suggested a more sensible solution is to explore consolidating smaller fire agencies into a larger, more cost-efficient agency such as the merging of fire administration services by the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove; and to require employees to contribute more toward their city-funded pension programs.
Furthermore, Herrera argues that "...the approval of the tax sets up a dangerous precendent whereby other departments may ask to 'double-tax' taxpayers on respective services already covered by existing taxpayer revenue."
Both Lutar and Herrera also warn that such a fee is not only unwarranted, it also poses a public safety hazard in that it may discourage individuals from reporting accidents.
Rallied to speak against the fee, Chula Vista Civic Association representatives dashed to the council meeting after learning only days in advance that the item was placed on the agenda. At the last minute the item was pulled from the agenda. Incidentally, the very same "crash tax" was being proposed on the same day as the meeting of the National City Council. With no organized opposition, the fee was approved.
"We must remain ever vigilant. Every day we must stand ready to defend the will of the voters and protect Chula Vista tax dollars," responded Herrera.
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