Marina, faced with crumbling facilities, asks voters to consider a utility tax.

Most in Marina agree that the city is in dire need of new public facilities. But how to get there is a point of contention.

The City estimates it needs $69.3 million to construct new police and fire stations, along with a city hall. It has $19.3 million secured through grants and other funding sources, according to City Manager Matt Mogensen.

To make up the rest, the Marina City Council put a 7-percent utility users tax on the ballot, designated as Measure Q. Opponents say the tax percentage is too high, and is a general tax, meaning it can be used for any purpose, not just for new facilities.

The utility tax would apply to water, gas, electricity, telecommunications and video services. According to the City, nearly 40 percent of households in Marina would qualify for a reduced 3.5-percent rate, if they are enrolled in PG&E’s CARE Program or are 65 or older and meet income requirements.

While costs would vary by household, the City estimates it will cost $29 monthly per home.

The tax does not have a sunset, and the council could reduce the rate or eliminate it in the future.

The police and fire departments share a building built in 1993 that is operating at maximum capacity, but as Marina grows, so too does its emergency response times. Police Chief Randy Hopkins said during a Sept. 30 meeting that calls for service are up 20 percent in recent years, while Fire Chief Kristan Maurer said Marina Fire has well over a nine-minute response time to most areas of the city, nearly double the five-minute national average.

City hall and the council chambers operate out of portable trailers built in 1975 and do not meet ADA accessibility standards.

A group under the banner “Voters for Responsible Taxes” has organized against Measure Q.

Marina resident John DiCarlo filed a petition in Monterey County Superior Court over what he said was misleading ballot language. The title and text focuses on public safety, yet DiCarlo said that implies advocacy on the City’s part, when the title should remain neutral.

A judge denied the petition on Sept. 8 on the basis of timing (too close to Election Day and ballot-printing), but DiCarlo notes there is no court ruling on the merits of the issue.

“This is a forever tax,” he said. “This is going to affect renters, homeowners, businesses. This is actually the highest [UUT] on the Peninsula.”