Lake County tax measure appears headed to defeat

Lake County voters appeared poised Tuesday night to defeat a 1.5 percent sales tax increase intended to fund public services and aid the county’s recovery from devastating wildfires that in recent years destroyed homes and infrastructure, cut property tax revenue and led to millions in unexpected costs.

With a majority of ballots counted, 62 percent opposed Measure G. Only 38 percent voted in favor of the tax, which would have raised an estimated ?$4.5 million annually for the county general fund over its 10-year life.

The tax would apply only to transactions on sales and services in unincorporated Lake County and would bring the total sales tax in the county to ?8.75 percent - the same rate already paid in the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake. Measure G needs approval from 50 percent of the voters plus one to become law.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Steele said he was mystified by the apparent failure of the measure, noting that county residents do most of their shopping in the cities and already pay the higher sales tax rate.

“At the end of the day, we’re looking at this thinking, ‘Boy, I think the citizens are going to regret this one,’ and it’s going to have to come back” before voters, he said.

Clearlake City Council members Joyce Overton and Bruno Sabatier were competing for District 2 county supervisor. Sabatier led with 54 percent of the vote, compared to Overton’s 45 percent.

In the District 3 supervisorial race, Robinson Rancheria Tribal Chairman Eddie “E.J.” Crandell, a county planning commissioner, edged ahead of his opponent with 51 percent of the vote. Denise Lee Loustalot, a former Clearlake councilwoman, trailed with 49 percent in a tight race.

In the race for district attorney, Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones led with 60 percent. Kelseyville attorney Steve Brown trailed with 39 percent.

County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg was heading toward re-election with 72 percent of the vote. Patrick Iaccino, retired Upper Lake Unified School District superintendent, trailed with 27 percent.