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City Manager Martinez said he clarified the question when it was posed. The question dealt, specifically, with the position that was going to be in the Personnel Department to perform the Risk Management function. After the question was asked, he said that "No, it would not be impacted by the U. Tax" Another speaker referred to the same comment and City Manager Martinez, once again, clarified the answer. Mr. Steve Anderson said that his earlier comments to Councilmember Bennett were not inappropriate as his survey of ten households wanted repeal and rebates. Councilmember Bennett said that had the money been used to cover everything that was mentioned tonight, there might not be a request for repeal. She said the money was used to purchase computers and phone lines. Most importantly, she said the main reason for repealing the tax was that people have the right to vote on whether or not they were willing to be further taxed. They were never given a voice on this tax. If the tax is neces- sary, Councilmember Bennett said the only way it could be used appropriately would be if it was taken for a vote of the people because it would be for a special purpose and then it would be applied to that special purpose and not used where individuals wanted to use it. As to rebates, Councilmember Bennett said this was a separate issue which should be voted on separately. She said she voted against hiring new positions as she felt the tax was imposed illegally. She voted against the budget for a number of reasons, along with Mayor Fulp, because they were not confident the money would develop as suggested in the budget and because they were against the Utility Tax. She asked Council to support the repealing of the tax but if it did not support this, staff needed to develop something to go to the November Ballot --a special public safety tax. Councilmember Beltran said Council Members were elected by their constituents to perform duties to improve the lives of the citizens of this community. The City must provide services. Council has to maintain a strong Fire Department and Police Department. He mentioned the crime sprees experienced in the last two weeks. He cautioned that Council must keep the bond ratings from going down any further. He recalled a discussion with Standard & Poor, in the Mayor's Office, about bond ratings. He declared he could not go along with repealing the Utility Tax. After studying the issue, Councilmember matter of pay now or pay later. If the Council will find that instead of paying City will end up paying 13-15% to do the improvements to the wastewater facility 11 Sanders said it was a Utility Tax is repealed, a 6% in Utility Tax, the necessary infrastructure plant, which will be MAR 0 5 1996