Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The City of Woodlake is huddling with several commercial cannabis growing companies who may be interested in relocating operations to this Tulare County foothill community.
"We have meetings set for this week with them and we will be asking all the questions on any plans and the size of operations they might want to build here," said City Administrator Ramon Lara.
Public hearing June 12
Lara says results of those discussions will be part of a city public hearing set for June 12, including the idea of two sales tax measures that might be placed on the November ballot.
As of now, Woodlake has no local sales tax overrides.
Lara says talks with cannabis firms have all been by phone, describing them as "very preliminary." As they have proposed in other communities in the state - firms would likely build greenhouse growing facilities with the sales tax generated credited to the city of Woodlake - helping the local economy both with new jobs and city sales tax revenue as well as a possible per square foot tax.
Just how big and how much is the question.
Besides interest by outside companies, Lara say locals have been asking the same questions of the city.
In 2018, the state of California will begin to tax commercial cannabis and some cities are adding their own piece of the action with the hearty approval of commercial cannabis firms who are eager to get local support.
Several cities have started to tax cannabis growing in their towns including King City, Coalinga and San Diego.
Hanford too, is considering the idea after three companies have expressed interest there, promising hundreds of jobs. Now, local opposition has surfaced in Hanford, which may lead to their own rival ballot measure.
So Woodlake may join the party but only if the local voters go along. If the June 12 hearing is positive, the effort to fashion a new zoning ordinance is likely to begin - spelling out just where in town and what is allowed.
In a May 24 Facebook post, the city asked citizens to respond to a survey, asking whether the community would support a local sales tax increase of 3/4 of a cent on goods sold in town, if the measure was on the November ballot.
The poll asks the residents their priority of how extra revenue might be used, for roads, schools, recreation.
It also asks whether voters would approve a pot measure including recreational-use dispensaries in town or commercial cultivation, both now allowed in California after voters approved it.
The poll also asks how far away from schools such operations should be located - state law is at least 600 feet.
Also asked, would such facilities increase crime in town?
At their May 8 City Council meeting, the council gave city staff authorization to proceed with the process of placing a Woodlake General Sales Tax Measure as well as a second question - on a Marijuana Tax Measure - on the ballot. But that action is preliminary, said Lara.
Supporting the idea has been the Woodlake Citizens' Advisory Committee, which held several meetings to discuss the two potential tax measures within city limits and voted to proceed with both.
The committee advisory suggested the money be used to provide local funding to improve quality of life; city services including parks and recreation programs; neighborhood police patrols; gang prevention programs; street maintenance and repairs; lighting, landscaping and trails; and other services. One estimate suggests if the city of Woodlake increases the sales tax by 3/4-cent, it might provide approximately $325,000 annually, with independent audits and citizen's oversight.
Meanwhile, the city has contacted the Tulare County Elections office regarding the cost of placing the measures on the November 2017 Ballot and the current estimate is at $18,296.50 to $20,769.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Woodlake considers pot businesses
Author: John Lindt
Contact: Contact Us | Visalia Times Delta
Photo Credit: Eric Woomer
Website: Visalia Times-Delta - Home
"We have meetings set for this week with them and we will be asking all the questions on any plans and the size of operations they might want to build here," said City Administrator Ramon Lara.
Public hearing June 12
Lara says results of those discussions will be part of a city public hearing set for June 12, including the idea of two sales tax measures that might be placed on the November ballot.
As of now, Woodlake has no local sales tax overrides.
Lara says talks with cannabis firms have all been by phone, describing them as "very preliminary." As they have proposed in other communities in the state - firms would likely build greenhouse growing facilities with the sales tax generated credited to the city of Woodlake - helping the local economy both with new jobs and city sales tax revenue as well as a possible per square foot tax.
Just how big and how much is the question.
Besides interest by outside companies, Lara say locals have been asking the same questions of the city.
In 2018, the state of California will begin to tax commercial cannabis and some cities are adding their own piece of the action with the hearty approval of commercial cannabis firms who are eager to get local support.
Several cities have started to tax cannabis growing in their towns including King City, Coalinga and San Diego.
Hanford too, is considering the idea after three companies have expressed interest there, promising hundreds of jobs. Now, local opposition has surfaced in Hanford, which may lead to their own rival ballot measure.
So Woodlake may join the party but only if the local voters go along. If the June 12 hearing is positive, the effort to fashion a new zoning ordinance is likely to begin - spelling out just where in town and what is allowed.
In a May 24 Facebook post, the city asked citizens to respond to a survey, asking whether the community would support a local sales tax increase of 3/4 of a cent on goods sold in town, if the measure was on the November ballot.
The poll asks the residents their priority of how extra revenue might be used, for roads, schools, recreation.
It also asks whether voters would approve a pot measure including recreational-use dispensaries in town or commercial cultivation, both now allowed in California after voters approved it.
The poll also asks how far away from schools such operations should be located - state law is at least 600 feet.
Also asked, would such facilities increase crime in town?
At their May 8 City Council meeting, the council gave city staff authorization to proceed with the process of placing a Woodlake General Sales Tax Measure as well as a second question - on a Marijuana Tax Measure - on the ballot. But that action is preliminary, said Lara.
Supporting the idea has been the Woodlake Citizens' Advisory Committee, which held several meetings to discuss the two potential tax measures within city limits and voted to proceed with both.
The committee advisory suggested the money be used to provide local funding to improve quality of life; city services including parks and recreation programs; neighborhood police patrols; gang prevention programs; street maintenance and repairs; lighting, landscaping and trails; and other services. One estimate suggests if the city of Woodlake increases the sales tax by 3/4-cent, it might provide approximately $325,000 annually, with independent audits and citizen's oversight.
Meanwhile, the city has contacted the Tulare County Elections office regarding the cost of placing the measures on the November 2017 Ballot and the current estimate is at $18,296.50 to $20,769.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Woodlake considers pot businesses
Author: John Lindt
Contact: Contact Us | Visalia Times Delta
Photo Credit: Eric Woomer
Website: Visalia Times-Delta - Home
