SEQUIM — After a discussion of whether a proposed two-tenths of one cent sales-tax hike represents socialism or democracy, the Sequim City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to put the proposed increase on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
The council’s newer members — Susan Lorenzen, Erik Erichsen, Ken Hays and Mayor Laura Dubois — favored the ballot measure, while midterm members Bill Huizinga, Paul McHugh and former mayor Walt Schubert cast the “no” votes.
The three naysayers believe this is anything but an opportune time to ask shoppers to pay more for goods inside the city limit.
“People are struggling,” amid a recession, Schubert said.
The tax increase, if approved by voters in November, would add 2 cents to every $10 spent in Sequim on most items.
Present sales tax in Clallam County is 8.4 percent.
Prescriptions, gasoline and grocery-store food — except for hot food — are not subject to sales tax. Restaurant fare is taxed.
A projection based on 2007 sales figures indicates that the added sales tax could put an extra $600,000 into the city’s purse in 2009.
That money will be earmarked for transportation projects: sidewalks and street “rehab,” as Dubois calls it.
