Editor:
As a longtime local merchant and resident of Fortuna, I’m supporting Measure D, which will raise sales tax in the City of Fortuna by ¾ of 1 percent, from 9.5 percent to 10.25 percent.
The city of Fortuna is severely challenged by declining sales tax and declining transient occupancy taxes, coupled with increased expenses (notably liability insurance and road maintenance costs).
Our shopping patterns have changed, while our sales tax structure remains the same. Sales tax formulas were designed in the 1950s, and did not contemplate online shopping.
Sales from Fortuna businesses declined last year by 1 percent, while online sales grew by 8 percent. Additionally, the sales tax from those online sales goes to the county of Humboldt, and not the city of Fortuna.
Measure D is a critical first step to maintaining the public safety and community maintenance services that we depend on and appreciate.
Clif Clendenen, Fortuna
This article appears in Big Backyard Visitors.
