Monrovia : Vote on Tax Issue Delayed

The City Council delayed until next week a final vote on whether to put a new tax on the April 14 ballot.

The tax would be used to pay for a $9-million police station that would be built at Ivy and Lime avenues. Council members agreed Tuesday that the tax should be structured as a $4.50 monthly flat fee on residential water bills rather than as a utility tax on gas and electric bills as they had earlier discussed. Businesses would pay an 83% surcharge on business license fees under the plan.

But Mayor Robert Bartlett said he fears that voters will not approve the tax because of the recession. A special meeting on the issue will be held Monday in the City Council chambers.