City to Discuss Possible Tax and Fee Increases, How to Improve IB Economy at Meeting Wednesday

City Council and staff will meet Wednesday to continue discussions about ways to stimulate the local economy after redevelopment agencies were dissolved. 

The public is invited to attend to voice their opinion.

Tax and fee increases will also be discussed.

Increased pension costs and unpaid redevelopment loans may increase city expenses $500,000 to $1 million.

As a result, several tax increases which would require voter approval have been detailed in the meeting's agenda packet by City Attorney Jennifer Lyon.

Staff will look for council's suggestions regarding specific fee increases, reductions in services or ways to incentivize the departure of city employees.

Fee increases recommended at a workshop meeting last month include required permits for garage sales, charging more for trash pickup, charging baseball and softball leagues more for using the city's fields and lights and getting rid of the graffiti removal service.

Continued negotiations with the sheriff's department and Unified Port of San Diego will also be discussed as ways to save money.

Finance Department director Michael McGrane will deliver an update on the city's general fund.

With the hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn scheduled to open in November, last fall the city held a workshop to discuss the beachfront economy.

What came out of the meeting was a proposed six-month plan to be enacted by the time the hotel opens to boost economy on Seacoast Drive. 

A 18-month plan was also proposed.

Both plans appeared in front of council a month later but neither plans have moved forward since first being proposed last October.