SOAR Will Be Costly, City Manager Says

Residents will pay more for city services if a slow-growth initiative passes, according to a study conducted by City Manager Roy Payne.

The study also predicted that if voters approve the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative in November, less money will be available for police and fire protection in Fillmore.

Although Payne said the report reflects the difficulty of improving the city’s bottom line without growth, initiative supporters said the report is desperate election-season politics.

“This is totally alarmist,” said slow-growth leader Paul Harding. “They [City Council members] are fearful the people of Fillmore will be involved in the decision-making process regarding development because they know we have a whole different vision of growth.”

The measure’s emphasis on affordable housing will mean less sales tax money for fire and police protection, according to Payne’s memo. It would wipe out 2,500 potential jobs from a planned industrial center, transfer $2.1 million in debt to residents and wash away $500,000 in yearly revenue expected from a proposed housing development on the Santa Clara River, Payne wrote.

“These aren’t scare tactics; they are facts,” Payne said of the report, which will be presented to the City Council at tonight’s meeting.