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Hemet’s latest attempt to raise money for more police and fire protection might get a better reception than Measure E, the one percent sales tax that Hemet voters narrowly rejected in June, according to a Measure E opponent.
The city council Tuesday asked the city attorney’s office to prepare a general tax measure for the Nov. 8 ballot that would levy an extra cent on each dollar spent in Hemet.
A general tax can’t be earmarked for a specific purpose, so voters would have to approve a second measure authorizing that the extra revenue be spent for public safety. Also, because it’s not a special tax, which required a two-thirds vote, needs only a majority to pass.
All of that might be all right with the people who fought Measure E, said Robert Righetti, a longtime Hemet businessman and one of those opponents.
“We will definitely take a look at it, and if they do it differently we might be OK with it,” said Righetti, a member of the Hemet Taxpayer’s Association, which fought Measure E. “The last time their numbers didn’t hold water and we went after them, but it might be different this time.”
The council is scheduled to discuss the matter further at its July 26 meeting. It has until Aug 12 to get the measure on the ballot.
