It’s time for you to do something

Rebecca Raves



 

 

I am very disappointed in you. Last Tuesday, the

Pleasanton Express shared on our Facebook page a public notice from the City of Pleasanton regarding a proposed increased tax rate of $0.5156450 per $100 valuation for 2021. As the notice read, the proposed tax rate is greater than the no-new-revenue tax rate of $0.4749960, therefore, the City of Pleasanton is proposing to increase property taxes for the 2021 year.

As a result of us posting this public notice, many of you were outraged at the increase and were not shy in making it known on social media. One of you even asked if there was a way to prevent the raise to which we responded and encouraged you to attend the public hearing later that week. This was your chance to speak to the mayor, city council and city staff to oppose the tax increase.

I attend and cover the Pleasanton City Council meetings in which these public hearings take place. Knowing the disappointment you expressed on social media, I eagerly waited to report on your opposition to council on Sept. 2. Unfortunately, I was disappointed when Mayor Clinton Powell called for the public hearing and no one showed up to contest.

I’ve said it before plenty of times and I will say it once more … get out from behind your phone, computer or whatever screen you’re hiding behind, and show up to these public hearings. If you really are as disappointed and outraged as you claim to be on social media, then why aren’t you showing up in person to speak before the officials you elected into office? The officials who vote for or against the tax increase?

You have one final chance to express your opposition to the increased tax rate on Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Pleasanton City Hall. You can sign up to speak to council for three minutes. After the hearing, council is set to vote on the increased tax rate. Your voice does matter in these decisions.

You can also contact City of Pleasanton staff and council with your concerns:

 Mayor Clinton Powell: mayor@pleasantontx. gov

 City Manager Johnny Huizar: jhuizar@pleasantontx. gov or 830-569- 3867 ext. 217

 District 1 Councilman Robert Leonhardt: district1@ pleasantontx.gov

 District 2 Councilman Kenneth Hernandez: district2@ pleasantontx.gov

 District 3 Councilwoman Diana Prasifka: district3@pleasantontx. gov

 District 4 Councilman JR Gallegos: district4@ pleasantontx.gov

 District 5 Councilwoman Lillian Cashmer: district5@pleasantontx. gov

 District 6 Councilwoman Jeanne Israel: district6@ pleasantontx.gov

Come on Pleasanton, make me proud.

REBECCA PESQUEDA is the News Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may reach her at rpesqueda@pleasantonexpress.com.

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