Portola Valley voters may have a chance this November to lower the town’s tax on utility bills, now set at 5.5 percent.
The Town Council plans to discuss and vote on a resolution authorizing a November election at the Wednesday, July 12, council meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road.
The town expects to receive $544,000 in utility tax revenue during the current fiscal year, said Town Administrator Angela Howard. This number reflects a potential loss of $47,000 in revenues, assuming a decision in favor of Verizon Wireless in a lawsuit brought by the city of Palo Alto over Verizon’s refusal to tax cell phone calls on national calling plans.
While utility tax revenues may shrink, property tax revenues are rising, due in part to a county decision to allot more revenues to the town to comply with a state law. The expected jump for the 2006-07 fiscal year is $438,000, said Ms. Howard.
Also on the agenda for the July 12 meeting is an update on fundraising for a new $20 million complex at Town Center. As of April, the Portola Valley Community Fund reported $2.6 million in donations and $2.45 million in pledges.
Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
