Seaside City Council places measure on ballot

The Seaside City Council unanimously decided on Thursday night to placed a marijuana business tax and vital services measure on the June 6 ballot.

City officials said, if passed by voters, it will help maintain essential city services, including public safety, street maintenance, clean water and fiscal stability.

“We all live in Seaside because of its beautiful natural surroundings and small-town feel. We want to continue to provide public safety, roads that are in good condition, and maintain our parks and surrounding environment,” city manager Craig Malin said.

City officials said if enacted, a tax of up to 10 percent will be placed on Seaside marijuana businesses, not consumers, helping to ensure Seaside doesn’t lose tax dollars to nearby communities that have already acted to tax and regulate the marijuana industry.

Nearly 50 other California jurisdictions have enacted similar local measures for the industry for the privilege of operating within a local jurisdiction, city officials said.

Seaside’s vital services measure, if enacted, would generate funds to help maintain fiscal stability and essential city services, including public safety, street maintenance, clean water, and youth and senior services.

Officials said the measure is not a property tax on homeowners, and visitors to the Seaside community will pay their fair share of the costs to use parks, roads and police.

The measure would also not apply to food purchased at groceries or prescription medication. Revenue raised by the measure would be subject to strict accountability provisions, including independent audits and public review of expenditures to ensure funds are spent efficiently and responsibly, officials said.

KION’s Maya Holmes will have more at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.