Dear Editor,
As a concerned resident, I am compelled to express my apprehension regarding the recent handling of unexpected sales tax revenue in Fremont, as reported in the Mercury News and East Bay Echo.
The revelation that Fremont received an unanticipated $37 million in sales tax revenue, inaccurately attributed to volatile new auto sales, is disconcerting. What’s even more unsettling is the city council’s seemingly passive response to this issue. Rather than addressing the misallocation, there appears to be a collective act of evasion.
Councilmember Shao’s inclination to fault the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the mayor’s commendation of building a reserve fund to offset such mistakes are inadequate solutions. Utilizing city reserves to rectify an accounting error sets a dangerous precedent. The reluctance to involve external auditors or a sales tax revenue consultant, as previously done in 2018, is perplexing.
The real-world implications of this error have been disregarded. It’s distressing to note that the city silently slashed $5.5 million from crucial street repairs and park maintenance without acknowledging the root cause.
Our elected officials should prioritize a more hands-on approach to budget oversight. The focus on inconsequential debates, such as flag-raising ceremonies and employee holidays, neglects the critical need for transparency and accountability in managing city finances. To regain public trust, it is imperative that the city not only investigates this irregularity with outside auditors but also revises past budget reports to rectify the erroneous sales tax revenue allocation.
Fremont residents deserve a transparent and accountable administration that proactively manages its finances. I urge the city council to take immediate, responsible action to restore confidence in our city’s financial integrity.
Sincerely,
Kelly Abreu
