Prior to our move to Orindawoods, we lived in Lafayette for almost 30. We have watched the careful, fiscally conservative management by our City leaders bring to life a vibrant, beautifully landscaped and maintained, walkable and bike-friendly downtown with a much-used park in the city's core. We can showcase a first-class hotel, extraordinary Library and a stunning Veterans Memorial Hall. Our prized green hills are still pristine, our roads constantly improved, our multiple parks thriving, and a community-focused police force keeps our streets and neighborhoods safe. No wonder a recent independent survey shows over 90% of residents indicate strong satisfaction with our town. Amazingly, City leadership has managed this always on a balanced budget. 

Because our restaurants, three major grocery stores and retail sector attract shoppers from surrounding areas, yes, traffic can be frustrating. But the sales tax from these sources is precisely why our leaders have managed to sustain this extraordinary vibrancy on a year-after-year balanced budget. But the pandemic and inflation have stressed City resources. Lafayette has held onto an 8.75 sales tax for years while surrounding cities have raised theirs between 9.25%-10%.  If we wish to sustain our community just at the current level, no significant and costly improvements, we need to bring our sales tax to a level that supports our well-established balanced fiscal management.  I urge your support of Measure H which will do just that.

Respectfully Submitted –

Kathy Merchant