Commentary: Newport Beach can reverse course and accept transportation funds

Sometimes we get it wrong. At the Aug. 8 Newport Beach council meeting, I supported the efforts of my colleagues to reject revenues generated by the recent increase in the state gas tax (Senate Bill 1). This was presented as a way to protest the increase in the state gas tax and I, like many of you, believe taxes are already too high in California.

But in retrospect, it is clear that this protest gesture will have no effect on the tax, it will not save Newport Beach residents one penny, and it will deny residents the benefits of this revenue to improve our streets and roads.

Approving the application would have brought $480,000 in revenue to the city, money paid at the pump by Newport Beach residents, for improvements to our internal roads and highways. Furthermore, this revenue source is estimated by the Orange County Transportation Authority to generate $1.9 million annually to Newport Beach.

As I stated above, I did vote no on applying for SB 1 funds. However, had I voted yes, the motion not to accept the funds still would have passed 4 to 3. But, having voted no affords me the opportunity to introduce a motion to reconsider the vote, which I will do at the first council meeting in September.

The council has a fiduciary responsibility to the people of Newport Beach. To refuse these funds to improve our roads is not exercising that responsibility.

This experience has taught me that proposals from the council dais that can have hundreds of thousands of dollars in impact on the city should not be acted on quickly. This entire issue should have been fully vetted by the Finance Committee before it came to council. And a full report from staff on the fiscal impacts should have been presented.

As a council member, I was elected to be a steward of our tax dollars and address the critical street maintenance issues, safety and infrastructure needs of our city. If you feel strongly about this issue, I encourage you to come to the Sept. 12 City Council meeting and take the opportunity provided to address the council.

JEFF HERDMAN is a Newport Beach city councilman.