The Colusa City Council last week appointed six individuals to the new Citizens Oversight Committee, which was formed after the passage of Measure B in the Nov. 8, 2022 election.
The committee will be tasked with reviewing annual tax reports and making recommendations to the City Council as to the use of revenue generated from the additional 1% levied on sales taxes for road and infrastructure improvements and general government services, officials said.
The City Council on Feb. 22 unanimously appointed Ralph Newlin, Barbara Sachs, Mark Leidner, Vicki Pulsifer, Christian Cowsert, and Marilyn Acree to four-year terms, effective March 1.
The city required the committee to have no less than five members.
“I am really impressed with all six,” said Mayor Greg Ponciano.
The City Council’s representatives on the committee will be Ponciano and Vice Mayor Julie Garofalo.
Members of the oversight committee are a mix of both newcomers and longtime or lifetime residents.
Acree served previously on the Colusa City Council; Sachs served 17 years on the Oversight Committee for the Colusa County Treasurer/Tax Collector’s office.
“I think we have a lot of good backgrounds with all six,” said Councilman Ryan Codorniz.
The 1% sales tax increase approved by voters will take effect on April 1, bringing the total amount collected on the purchase of goods and services to 8.75%.
Of that, the State of California will still receive 6% of every dollar spent in Colusa on taxable goods; the City of Colusa will now receive 2%; and the County of Colusa will now receive .75%.
All meetings of the committee will be open to the public and subject to the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act. ■