San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding joined fellow supervisors this week in rejecting a series of proposed county fee increases, arguing that residents and businesses are already struggling under rising costs.
According to a report by the News-Sentinel, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to deny multiple fee hikes across several county departments and instead directed departments to find ways to reduce costs and operate more efficiently.
Ding, a longtime small business owner, warned that higher fees send the wrong message at a time when businesses are already facing soaring expenses.
“People can’t afford this,” Ding said. “We are here to support the public, and we have to start talking like this or you’re going to have so many empty businesses, you’re not going to know what to do.”
Ding also emphasized the need for fiscal discipline and a more business-friendly approach that focuses on attracting employers and protecting working families instead of passing more costs onto taxpayers.
Read the full article from the News-Sentinel for complete coverage of the Board’s decision:
https://www.lodinews.com/news/article_abb1d589-9c76-4017-b848-a15680c44fef.html