Issue date: October 20, 1999

Atherton's vote of confidence: Will voters back parcel tax in wake of town troubles? Atherton's vote of confidence: Will voters back parcel tax in wake of town troubles? (October 20, 1999)

By ANNE H. KIM

The town of Atherton is up against a critical parcel tax election this year, one that follows months of discontent and criticism of town hall by some residents.
Roughly a fourth, or $1.6 million, of the town's annual revenue comes from the special parcel tax, which voters are asked to authorize every four years. The last time the tax was on the ballot was 1995, when 73 percent of voters agreed to give the council authority to set the tax as high as $750 a year for a typical parcel, a 50 percent increase in the ceiling. The actual current tax rate is $650.
Voters may not be so agreeable this year.
In the wake of questions over several incidents involving town spending and management, the City Council recently arranged a "negotiated resignation" of City Manager Don Guluzzy that included a $59,000 severance package.
But some residents say the problems go beyond the city manager and they intend to express their dissatisfaction by voting no on Measure H, the council's proposal to re-authorize the tax at the current ceiling of $750 a year.
The vote could be close. In a telephone survey of 300 residents in the spring, 62 percent said they would renew the tax at the current rate, just under the two-thirds vote needed to pass.
For Measure H

Proponents of Measure H say it would be foolish to reject it. Defeat would mean a loss of 24 percent of town revenues and a severe reduction in police and other services, say proponents.

Fifty-five percent of the town's budget goes to the police department, and 73 percent of its operating budget is for employee salaries and benefits, said Councilman Alan Carlson, a spokesman for the Atherton Committee for Measure H.

Atherton is squeezed, too, by state and federal mandates, he noted, including paying the county for criminal booking fees and the administrative costs related to collection of property tax. The federal government has mandated that local municipalities pay for national programs such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the committee noted.

Despite town controversies, the tax has many backers, including such prominent Athertonians as Charles and Helen Schwab and Mervin Morris.

Just say no

But some residents aren't persuaded.

Stanley Bernhard, a 40-year resident of Atherton, said he plans to vote against the tax this year after supporting the tax in past years.

"I think if there's real change on the council, I think people will work for it and vote for it in the spring," he said.

Although there hasn't been an organized effort to defeat the tax, about 15 residents, including Mr. Bernhard, recently met with Councilwoman Dianne "Didi" Fisher, and threatened to oppose the Measure H if the council did not demonstrate a commitment to turn Atherton's government around.

Jan Simonds, who has lived in Atherton for 33 years, was not at those meetings but said she wouldn't vote for the tax this year.

"Heavens no," she said. "Not until our council gets its act together." Ms. Simonds said she wants to see the council repair its "flawed" hiring practices, end the arrogance of some council members, adopt fiscal responsibility, and show evidence of credibility.

"I want to see a little more leadership from (council members) and taking responsibility for their actions," she said. "And certainly many of them have dropped the ball."