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Inland Empire Business News August 23, 2014.005
Inland Empire Business News August 23, 2014.005

Second life for utility tax?

Two months after San Jacinto voters declined to pass a proposed utility tax, a citizens group is trying to get the measure back on the ballot.

Measure CC would have raised $5 million a year that would have been used to pay Riverside County for police and fire services, according to a report in The Press-Enterprise.

But voters rejected the 6.5 percent tax increase. Since then the city has reduced its number of police officers, let go 13 employees, blocked off three parks and announced plans to close one fire station.

Now, a group of city residents is trying to get the measure before voters again. They believe local voters are more open to the proposal because the affects of the budget cuts are being felt, the report stated.

The group has filed notice with the city clerk’s office regarding its intention, but it still must gather enough signatures to get the measure back on the ballot. Opponents of the tax have vowed to fight the proposal, according to the report.

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