Special Election Considered on Utility Tax Renewal

Hawthorne has a budget problem it hopes to solve with a special election that once again would ask voters to decide whether they want to renew a 5% utility tax.

Hawthorne voters rejected the tax in a Nov. 4 election. As a result, officials have closed the teenage center and the city’s only municipal swimming pool and reduced hours at the senior citizens center to eliminate a $3.9-million deficit.

City officials are considering whether to lay off as many as 17 police officers and other city employees.

The City Council, meeting last week, discussed whether to hold a special election as early as next March. The council will make a final decision on the election at its meeting Monday, city spokesman Tom Quintana said.