by Carol Murota, Observer Corps Coordinator

Lafayette City Council

Who makes deposits to your city’s bank account? Most city revenue comes from sales and property taxes. It matters where you shop!

Cities are thinking of ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while supporting their businesses and the employees threatened by their closing (however temporary). In Lafayette, City Manager Niroop Srivatsa believes that many small businesses will not survive the shutdown. To help local businesses, Lafayette is making all parking free so it will be easier to pick up take-out orders and groceries, and allowing sidewalk signs to easily locate open businesses. 

Recently, the City Council approved funding for a Business Assistance Program, a free service designed to assist local businesses and nonprofits in applying for federal and state funding. Signs are up all over town alerting people to ways Lafayette is helping businesses navigate the convoluted small business loan process.

At the same time, Lafayette anticipates a one million dollar shortfall this fiscal year from reduced sales taxes (businesses shuttering or having reduced sales) and other revenue sources. From Diablo Foods, Safeway, Orchard Nursery, Peet’s, and ACE Hardware, to take-out options like Hideout, Sideboard, El Jarro, Great Wall, and Rising Loafer, our businesses pay sales taxes that fund city services.

The economy is circular. It helps everyone when residents shop locally. Hone your ability to gauge 6 feet, wear your face mask, order from the many restaurants that remain open, use take-out and think of ways to support your local business.

Beyond Lafayette:

Your League Observers are trying to keep us apprised, and the requirement to allow public comment is still in place. Make sure you know what your local government is doing while we are hunkering down.

See the regular Board of Supervisors reports for April updates.

Catherine Newman, in her BART oversight role, reports that BART is making use of the slowdown to make exceptional progress on capital projects.

And many thanks to League members Peggy Huston (Martinez) and Stephanie Williams-Rogers (Brentwood) who are joining our Observer Corps, extending our presence and alerting our members to local actions. If you would like to join our Observer Corps, please let me know at info [at] lwvdv.org! The League and your cities are staying busy and relevant during this time – we are physically distanced but not inactive!