The Half Moon Bay dilemma: Raise taxes or give up?

The first time I ever heard of Half Moon Bay, I was probably around 6 years old. My mom's godparents lived there and we went for a visit. I remember being so amazed by the house that had a built-in corner curio. I don't even know if we went out to the beach, but I remember the house.

Twenty-something years later, I went to Half Moon Bay for the first time as an adult. The drive and the views were amazing. But I was disappointed by their "downtown area" and scared by how rundown parts of the city have become. Yet, I never dreamed that the trip might be the last trip my family would make to Half Moon Bay - the city.

Like so many cities in this valley, Half Moon Bay is operating with a budget deficit. To ease this burden, the city is asking the residents to approve Measure K, which would increase the sales tax by 1 cent. According to the city, this penny increase would belong completely to the city of Half Moon Bay.

Unfortunately, the City Council has to have a "Plan B," and that is disincorporation. This would mean that Half Moon Bay would give their budget, operations and services to San Mateo County, and residents would rely on the county for fire and police services. Like every other county in the Bay Area, San Mateo is stretched thin.

Another issue is $15 million in bonds left from an $18-million settlement that Half Moon Bay entered into with a developer in 2008. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the lawsuit centered on a property that became a wetland and unusable by the owner. A judge, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of Prop. 8 fame, ruled in favor of the developer and awarded him $38 million. The city was later able to settle the lawsuit and pay a lot less money. This was funded through bonds, and if the city disincorporates, the San Mateo County Times reports that the bonds will still be the responsibility of Half Moon Bay residents. It would most likely get collected in the form of property liens.

The city's best bet is the sale tax increase, which would increase revenue by $1.4 million each year, according to the Times. But the success of this measure will depend on how well the residents view their government. As a local tourist, I would gladly pay the extra penny, but I wonder if this is all they need.

Redevelopment is needed to bring life to this town. While there is something to be said for a row of quaint little shops, that might not be a big enough draw to an area so full of beach towns. Maybe Measure K will give the city some room to grow.

References:

"A swamp in Half Moon Bay," San Francisco Chronicle
"Measure K FAQ's," City of Half Moon Bay
Scott, Julia, "The end of Half Moon Bay?" San Mateo County Times