BY BRIAN HEWS • NOVEMBER 13, 2019
Citing Sacramento as the cause of the City’s revenue problem, the Lakewood City Council voted to place a 3/4 cent sales tax on the 2020 ballot at this past Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting.
City officials stated that the State of California has taken over $30 million in local property tax dollars from Lakewood over the past eight years, and will continue to take approximately $2 million every year on into the future.
The take-away has resulted in Lakewood having to make significant budget cuts over the past two years, including to public safety as well as parks and facility maintenance in order to maintain a balanced budget.
The sales tax measure would raise approximately $10 million a year, an amount that would be “just sufficient” to meet the City’s budget deficit in the years ahead and to fund and maintain City services.
It would take the tax rate from 9.50% to 10.25%.
The “Lakewood Public Safety/Local Control Measure” was developed after nearly a year of community-centered outreach following the adoption of the 2018-2019 budget, after State takeaways had begun to impact Lakewood’s services to residents.
“The City of Lakewood has been engaging residents on their service priorities and our budget situation for several months now. Thank you to the hundreds of residents who took the time to participate,” said Mayor Todd Rogers.
“We’re at a crossroads,” said Rogers. “Either we generate more revenue for Lakewood or we make deep cuts in our services to residents, including parks, community services and even public safety. And those would be cuts that would change Lakewood from the way we’ve known it for many years.”
The measure includes strict accountability requirements, including mandatory financial audits and the creation of a Citizens Oversight Committee, to ensure that all funds are spent in Lakewood as promised.
Details on the Lakewood Public Safety/Local Control Measure can be viewed at www.lakewoodcity.org/StaffReport.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
If Lakewood readers/voters remember a large store in Marina Pacifica, Long Beach, moved out of Long Beach because of high sales tax and re-located in Lakewood. With proposed Hi sales tax the City of Lakewood, wonder how many stores will leave the city? South Coast Plaza is not very far south of Lakewood, many of North Orange County and Long Beach will be shopping in South Coast Plaza where they can enjoy the sales tax rate, classier malls and more abundance of stores.
For a fact, many residents in the city of Cerritos have boycotted the city of Cerritos Shopping centers, because of a high sales tax rate, they shop at Buena Park Mall, Cypress Mall, Rossmoor Mall, SA Mall, Home Depot in Yorba Linda and Brea Mall because of the lower sales tax rate. Even one of the retired mayors of Cerritos went public and stated that she shops at South Coast Plaza because of lower sales tax rate and more availability.
To pass a high sales tax rate, hi sales tax rate passed on to car sales also, so you’re seeing more and more people change their home address to an Orange County address in order purchase a car in Orange County at cheaper sales tax rate. Still seeing many people buyers going to Arizona and Oregon to purchase Cars / RV and expensive computers/ TV/ cameras, since they have no sales tax.
Cerritos has same sales tax increase on the ballot, will fail, as Chinese are very frugal. BB School Bond did pass in Cerritos, now the city has many real estate foreclosures and over 37% homes are being used for rental stock.
Rain-X 810165 Latitude 2-In-1 Water Repellent Wiper Blades, 22 Inch Windshield Wipers (Pack Of 2), Automotive Replacement Windshield Wiper Blades With Patented Rain-X Water Repellency Formula
$34.99 (as of April 28, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Damflew Green Laser Pointer High Power Pen - Long Range Rechargeable Laser Beam, USB Charging for Hiking, Presentations & Outdoor Use (Professional-Grade Green Light)
$12.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MAONO Wave T1 Mini Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone 16 15, Android, Tablet, PC, Clip on Lapel Mic with USB-C Plug, Noise Cancellation, AI Voice Filter for Video Recording Vlog TikTok YouTube
$29.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless, WMR-CANAS
$24.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Pet Steam Brush for Dog & Cat – 3-in-1 Spray Hair Removal Comb – Steam for Shedding & Grooming – Water Brush for Long & Short Haired Pets – Spritz Defur Comb – Includes Waterless Shampoo
$24.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
apohen Cat Repellent Outdoor, Dog Repellent, Natural Peppermint Oil Cat&Dog Deterrent Outdoor and Indoor, Keep Cats Out of Yard Permanently, Protect Your Yard and Furniture, 10 Count (Pack of 1)
$19.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
6-Pack Cheesecloth, 20x20 Inch Organic Hemmed Cheese Cloth for Straining, Reusable Unbleached Cotton Strainer for Cooking, Baking, Juicing, and Cheese Making (Grade 100)
$9.99 (as of April 28, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of…
$15.68 (as of April 28, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
I Wish Someone Had Told Me . . .: The Best Advice for…
$19.64 (as of April 28, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Drift Car Air Freshener - Wood Air Freshener - Car Odor Eliminator - Teak Scent Starter Kit
$12.95 (as of April 28, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)