A sidewalk in need of repair is seen in Lake Elsinore. Ballot Measure Z, proposed by the city of Lake Elsinore, would be a one-cent sales tax to improve public safety such as emergency response, fire emergencies, keeping public spaces clean and road and sidewalk repair. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
When asked why the time was right for Lake Elsinore to put Measure Z, a 1-cent sales tax to help the city address service, public safety and local recovery needs, on the ballot in November, City manager Grant Yates said it was a good question.“We have a very fiscally responsible and conservative city council, and we have been trying to grow our way out of a structural deficit,” Yates said. “We spent the last as many years as I’ve been here, basically doing one-time moves, maximizing vacant property, getting Launch Pointe going, doing some bond deals. Everything we could to basically put the city in the best financial position possible.“The finances in the state of California are very difficult for a city to provide a high level of service, grow if you will, on a budget th
