Voters in Montebello Reject Tax Measure

Montebello is seeking ways to cut $3.8 million out of its $40.9-million operating budget after residents emphatically rejected a utility tax measure Tuesday, a move that affects services such as police, fire and parks.

The city of 65,000 people in the southwest San Gabriel Valley is facing difficult financial times because of limited growth in revenue and reductions in funding from the state, according to a city leaflet.

Officials are considering $1.27 million in cuts to the Police Department, including the elimination of five officer positions, a detective’s slot and helicopter surveillance. Cost-cutting ideas also include eliminating 18 firefighter positions, saving $1.17 million. More than $400,000 would be saved by closing six park sites used for after-school recreation, two pools and a petting zoo.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, but we must remain solvent into the future,” City Manager Richard Torres said in a taped broadcast to residents on the city’s website.

“Everyone knew an issue like Measure A would be controversial,” Torres continued. “Now that the election is over, it is time for the city to come together as a community.”

Not including absentee ballots, residents voted 4,068 to 1,528 against Measure A. The 6.5% tax would have raised $5 million annually.

“People were mad at Sacramento, they didn’t want to pay more taxes and they did not trust the way government was spending their money,” said Police Chief Garry Couso-Vasquez.

The chief said the cuts come amid an increase in crime from last year, mainly because of gang activity. The department has about 90 officers, about 15 fewer than Couso-Vazquez would like.

Montebello has 57 firefighters, according to the city’s website. Fire Chief Jim Cox could not be reached for comment.

Ed Pizzorno, who led an ad hoc citizens committee that campaigned against the tax, said the city would survive.

“It’s OK for a city to have a tight budget,” said Pizzorno, a city councilman in 1985-97.

Pizzorno said Montebello should consider creating a director of public safety, which would combine the police chief and fire chief positions.

As for the closure of parks and pools, Pizzorno said, city officials “just want to punish the people for voting against the measure.” Torres disagreed Thursday, saying all of the cuts being considered are necessary.

Pizzorno also criticized officials for hiring additional firefighters so the city could provide Commerce with fire services for a fee. But the county Local Agency Formation Commission later ruled that Montebello could not provide the same level of service to Commerce as the county Fire Department. Pizzorno said this left the city with a surplus of firefighters that contributed to its fiscal problems.

“Was it regrettable? Yes,” Torres said of the decision to hire more firefighters. “Is it the reason for having a deficit? It doesn’t help. But the reason we have a deficit is because we’re a full-service city.”