A Half-Cent Tax Increase Has Backers

Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen now says it is a ‘new era’

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

The last time the Westminster City Council came to grips with a looming catastrophic financial picture, the majority waited until the last possible moment to put a 1 cent sales tax on the ballot.

But this time, as Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen put it, “it’s a new era.”

The council, which has two new members – Amy Phan West and Namquan Nguyen – voted unanimously on Wednesday to continue the agenda item on asking voters to support an additional halfcent tax to a council study session not only on the financial impact of a new tax, but how it would affect the city treasury for five, seven, and 10 year intervals.

“Nobody wants to raise taxes,” said the mayor, who had opposed the 1-cent Measure Y that voters approved in 2022.

“But this is the situation we’re in.”

West spoke of a 10-point plan that would consider seeking to balance the