In a recent special meeting, the Upland City Council discussed the potential placement of a sales tax measure on the November ballot, aimed at addressing the city's financial challenges. Assistant City Manager Steven Parker presented the proposal, highlighting that Upland's status as a bedroom community has resulted in a financial deficit compared to neighboring cities with more commercial development.

The council previously adopted a business license tax measure for the same ballot, responding to residents' calls for improved infrastructure and essential services, including police and emergency response. Parker noted that the sales tax measure requires a two-thirds affirmative vote from the council and must be adopted by August 9 to appear on the ballot.

During the meeting, council members expressed differing opinions on the proposal. One councilman emphasized the importance of transparency and community representation, stating that the decision should not be influenced by his concurrent California State Senate campaign. He raised concerns about the timing of the measure, referencing a previous rejection by residents and questioning the validity of recent polling, which included only 400 respondents from a population of nearly 80,000.

The councilman argued that the current economic climate, characterized by rising gas prices and inflation, may not be conducive to introducing new taxes. He urged the council to explore alternative revenue sources before proceeding with the sales tax measure, advocating for a cautious approach to ensure residents' trust and support.

The discussions reflect a broader concern about balancing the city's financial needs with the economic realities faced by its residents, as the council weighs the implications of placing the sales tax measure on the upcoming ballot.