Lawndale Drops Plans for Utility Tax Proposal

The Lawndale City Council this week dropped plans to place a proposed utility tax on the November ballot but postponed a decision on budget cuts to offset the unexpected loss of $91,000 from the state.

The council last week ordered city staff to draw up the text of the measure, which would have imposed a 2% tax on residents and businesses and generated $240,000 a year for the city’s general fund. But during a budget hearing this week, after questions were raised about whether senior citizens and low-income residents should be exempt from the tax, the measure’s two strongest advocates withdrew their support.

Mayor Harold Hofmann said he withdrew his support because the council had run out of time to revise the measure before the election.

But he added: “I’d almost say for sure we’re going to see it on the June ballot.”