Requests for new tax revenue should come one at a time

The city council in Agoura Hills should postpone any attempt to put a parcel tax proposal on the November ballot. The measure, if passed, would generate money to preserve open space.

The timing couldn’t be worse. The state is mired in recession, unemployment is high and the state government is handcuffed politically while lawmakers argue over tax increases (Democrats) vs. cutbacks in services (Republicans).

Most importantly, Las Virgenes Unified School District is going to ask for money on the same ballot. The school district, however, is fighting to preserve programs for kids enrolled in public schools; buying land to keep it undeveloped is a luxury compared to education for children.

Many voters, if confronted with two or more tax increase proposals, will paint with a broad brush and vote no on all of them. On the other hand, if voters face only one choice, it stands a better chance of passing—especially if the funds go to something vitally important.

Even if another tax proposal hadn’t been courting the electorate, the one in Agoura Hills faces an uncertain future. It’s easy for citizens to say they want to preserve open space. It’s different when you ask them to put money where their mouths are.

Plenty of people are full of lofty ideals, but they get practical and realistic real fast when it’s time to pay for things.

The trick for Agoura Hills—even when the economy gets rosier—is finding that delicate balance: an amount that people are willing to pay for open space that will also generate enough money to pay for parcels of land that are actually worth preserving.

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