The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors voted Tuesday night to oppose the half-cent general-purpose sales tax measure in a 9-1 vote, according to Chamber CEO and President Mark Turner. The City Council voted Aug. 4 to place the measure on the ballot.
After receiving 200 responses to a recent survey of Chamber members since the Council’s decision, businesses gave the organization “clear direction,” Turner said.
“The chamber represents a lot of business owners and operators who have spoken with a clear voice,” he said. “They indicated they are not in favor of a half-cent sales tax increase. The decision was made after more than an hour of debate and a majority of Chamber members who responded took issue with the lack of citizen oversight.”
As is stands now, all potential tax revenue can be used for any general purpose, according to City Administrator Tom Haglund. Expenditures using the revenue would be audited annually, along with the City’s General Fund.
The Chamber is the first local organization to announce its opposition to the measure set to come before voters during the Nov. 4 general election. If approved by a simple majority of voters—50 percent plus one vote—Gilroy’s sales tax rate would jump from 8.75 to 9.25 percent. The Garlic Capital would have the highest sales tax rate of any city in Santa Clara County.
“The board hasn’t decided at this point whether to be more active in campaigning against it,” Turner said. “That will be an ongoing discussion the board will have.”
