Residents press Southgate council to put utility users tax to voters as council outlines tough budget choices
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Summary
Residents urged the City Council to put a proposed utility users tax (UUT) before voters and to increase transparency about a reported multi‑million-dollar budget gap; councilors and staff responded with outreach offers and notes on SB 707 translation requirements.
A steady stream of residents urged the Southgate City Council to let voters decide whether to adopt a utility users tax (UUT) or to declare a fiscal or physical emergency that would allow a ballot measure. Multiple speakers described deep local fiscal strain, the need to preserve police and public-works services and the potential consequences of a $9 million budget gap that one resident cited.
Public commenters also raised recurring concerns about city services and contractors: complaints about Universal Waste Systems (UWS) handling of trash containers and alleged customer-service shortfalls; requests for faster streetlight repairs and trimmed brush by railroad tracks; and appeals for more Spanish-language access to agendas and better remote participation options. Several speakers asked that the city restore Zoom participation and said the agenda should be published in Spanish so Spanish-speaking residents can prepare public comments.
City staff replied: the city clerk noted that Senate Bill 707 requires eligible cities to translate agendas and meetings into applicable languages beginning July 1, and said Southgate is preparing to comply. The city manager and treasurer said they are available for one‑on‑one and group briefings on the fiscal condition and offered to meet with residents who requested more financial detail. Councilmembers stressed the need for transparency and recommended that residents and council members use staff briefings and public records processes to get information.
Council discussion through the evening framed the issue as a tradeoff between service reductions and asking voters for new revenue. Several councilmembers said they prefer to give residents the choice at the ballot box rather than imposing changes without voter approval; others emphasized the need to examine savings before asking residents for more. No vote on a UUT was taken at the meeting; councilmembers directed staff to continue outreach and information sessions and to work through timing and legal requirements for any future measure.
Next procedural steps noted at the meeting: staff availability to meet with community groups, ongoing public outreach about budget options, and continued reporting to council on budget projections and program impacts.
