RESIDENTS PROPOSE 1 PERCENT SALES TAX IN YUCCA VALLEY

A committee of Yucca Valley residents has started an initiative petition for a one percent sales tax that would be used to reduce the costs associated with the proposed sewer project. The initiative proponents—Lori Herbel, Sabrina Peukert, and Nancy Haynych—say that the one-percent sales tax would generate $161 million over 30 years. According to the committee, proceeds from the one percent sales tax would be split: three-quarters of the proceeds from the one percent tax would go directly to the Hi-Desert Water District and would be used only for reducing assessment fees for all property owners in Phases 1, 2, and 3, and to establish a $3 million reserve to help low- and moderate-income property owners with sewer connection costs. The remaining quarter percent would go to the Town of Yucca Valley to be used for public safety, streets, parks, and infrastructure. The committee intends to submit the sales tax initiative to the Yucca Valley Town Council for discussion and comments. The complete proposed Lower Sewer Cost Sales Tax Initiative can be found at this link: http://www.lowersewercost.com/