Criticism is being leveled at city officials over the language used for a tax measure on Tuesday's ballot, according to an article in the Contra Costa Times.
The ballot item, Measure A, would raise the city's utility user tax from 6 percent to 8 percent. It will also add an 8 percent tax on cable television bills and other video technology.
The Times story states the measure's language asks voters if they want to "modernize" the tax "with equal treatment of taxpayers regardless of technology."
Critics say the language is trying to hide the fact the tax will be extended to things other than utility bills.
However, Hercules City Attorney Patrick Tang said the ballot language meets legal requirements and similar language has been used by other cities with tax measures.
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