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290 by Councilman Spillers and carried on roll calls Councilman Britschgi being notedabsent. RESOLUTION REGARDING PROPOSED COUNTY WIDE SALES TAX (CONTINUED FROM 9-17-56). The City Attorney read the proposed ordinance. Councilman Stout offered RESOLUTION 2107 EXPRESSING THE INTENTION OF THE COUNCIL OF REMOOD CITY IN REGARD TO COUNTY WIDE SALES TAX and moved its adoptions seconded by Councilman Herknere Councilman Spillers stated that he is against the sales tax and he is 100% in favor of the Board of Supervisors putting this up for a vote of the people. Councilman Weiss read the following prepared statement: This resolution of intention,;purpotedly is intended to convey to the people the thinking of this council on the subject of a sales tax as it is to be applied to the financial structure, etd* of this community. The subject of the application and imposition of a sales tax over and above the. present tax levies., and especially as an additional source of revenue over and above the present property tax levies is quite a controversial topic amongst the people., and men . of commerce and industry. So far as I have been able to ascertain acme authorities maintain that it is one of the most equitable forms of taxation., while many others maintain exactly the opposite. I do not hesitate to state that based on my personal analysis of the subject, I feel that I belong to the school of thought that believes the sales tax to be most equitable if it is used as a substitute for other forms of taxes; this is naturally follows that I consider it absolutely essential that if a sales tax is to be imposed there must be corresponding relief from property taxes. Since our last discussion of the question, it has occured to me that while the proposal has considerable merit on the local scene, we have not been sufficiently exhaustive in our approach and public pronouncements on the question. I have made a reappraisal of my thinking with the result that I wish to be more cautions in my approach of the problem, especially in arriving at final conclusions as to its adoption and disposition of revenues. Ny thinking on this matter brought to my mind the warning given by Edmund Burke, an english statesman of the 18th century, and I quote him — "Taxing is an easy business — Any projector can contrive new impositions; arW bungler can add to the old; but is it altogether wise to have no other bounds to your impositions than the patience of those who are to bear them." With those words passing through mfr mind I can not but conclude that the ultimate result of levying a sales tax without proper and adequate safeguards, would be tantamount to creating just another source of revenue. that would create a situation that can, may and will encourage the possible reckless expenditure of our means on highly controversial and questionable projects -and programs. It could make this countil subject to and amenable to heeding the pressures from selfish interests and pressure groups — plainly speaking, it could lead to what we term on the Federal and State levels. "Pork Barrel Appropriations". Therefor, as I see it, we must be candid and fair to our constituents — We must explore our foreseeable requirements that is the, long range program — both from an operational, capital outlay or expansion standpoint, as well as taking into consideration essential, but postponed, maintenance projects; we must determine priorities, c ostss means of financings and whether or not they can be adequately provided for under existing sources of revenues; We must explibres and if facts warrants admit, that for all practical purposes some of this additional revenue is essential and necessary to meet current requirements; that its imposition is warranted as the only means by which adequate funds can be provided for all purposes and yet permit and provide definite relief to the small home owner and other property owners who are already bearing too heavy a burden in property taxes. At this time, I feel it necessary to publicly state that I have consluded that the imposition of a sales taxi if not already essentials will soon bet it the city is to meet its obligation and properly perform its functions, and yet not have the property tax become so burdensome that it will soon be looked upon as being confiscatory; that notwithstanding what soma authorities are saying our unplanned and unprovided fors but burgeoning., expansion under the false hanner of progress is creating not unprecedented, but urgent needs for the expansion and improvement of facilitiess utilities and services to serve the increased populations and which can not be provided for from revenues received from property taxes. Notwithstanding: I am firm in may conviction that the imposition of a sales tax must not become just another form of taxation pyramided on top of those already on the statute books. Believing that my colleagues are sincere in their desire to provide adequate safe— ' guards. in the ordinance ultimately to be presented.. I do not at this time object to the adoption of the proposed resolution of intention now under consideration. In closing my I add that according to recent press reports, the city council of the City of Emeryville has announced that in view of the operation of the sales tax in their community, no property taxes will be levied on any property in their community; further that the City of Hayward and several others have also provided for considerable reductions of property taxes. Louis Weiss 8 Councilman Granger stated that he had made a study of this matter and he had asked that before any action was taken by the Council that they arrive at a priority and this has now been complied with. i mo