THE PLAN
Step 1: Meet with Agriculture Leaders
As mayor, my first step would be to invite agriculture leaders and stakeholders to the table for a good faith discussion. The goal would be to determine whether the industry is willing to voluntarily support the city through a small per box agriculture fee. At this stage, no specific amount has been predetermined. The purpose of the discussion is to determine what amount, if any, the industry believes is reasonable.
Step 2: Evaluate the Outcome
After meeting with agriculture leaders, We would evaluate the outcome of those discussions. If the industry presents a proposal, We would determine whether the suggested amount would generate enough revenue to make a meaningful difference for the City of Salinas. If the proposed amount is sufficient to help fund city priorities, we would work toward implementing that agreement. If the proposed amount is not enough to meaningfully benefit the community, or if the industry chooses not to make a proposal at all, we would ask the City Council to place a proposal on its agenda to pursue a voter approved agriculture tax.
Step 3: Let the Voters Decide
If the City Council approves moving forward, the next step would be to place the agriculture tax before the voters. If legally available, I would support holding a special election rather than waiting for the next regular election. While a special election costs money, I believe it can be a worthwhile investment if it allows the city to begin generating millions of dollars in new revenue sooner.
Determining the Rate
The exact agriculture tax rate has not been determined. Before asking voters to approve any measure, the city would establish a proposed rate that is fair, practical, and capable of generating meaningful revenue to improve Salinas. Once that appropriate rate is identified, that would become the proposed agriculture tax presented to the public for a vote.