Business License Tax Modernization

Asked the council to slow down and conduct proper due diligence rather than rushing a tax measure onto the ballot.

Representing the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, requested postponement of the business tax proposal to allow further stakeholder outreach.

Raised questions on behalf of real estate professionals regarding how gross receipts taxes would apply to brokerages and commissions.

Expressed concern that higher business taxes would harm local economic vitality and encourage business relocations.

Supported modernizing business taxes, noting that current square-footage models under-tax large businesses compared to neighbors.

Asked for clarification on large business definitions and tax discounts while supporting municipal revenue generation.

Spuged questioned the necessity of high-cost consulting contracts like crosswalk enhancements and later spoke in support of the business tax measure as a reasonable way to fund city needs.

A local auto dealer warned that a gross receipts tax would unfairly penalize high-volume, low-margin vehicle sales and urged the council to protect the local auto industry.

Representing the Bay East Association of Realtors, he urged the council to consider the cumulative financial burden on smaller housing providers and real estate professionals.

Speaking for the California Apartment Association, she argued that gross receipts taxes ignore operating expenses and would pile new costs on rental housing providers already hit by rent control fees.

A local real estate broker questioned the council's approach to business owners and highlighted rising insurance and loan costs for landlords.

A downtown business owner stated that parking changes have hurt local businesses and questioned the fairness of adding new taxes.

The CEO of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce shared survey data showing 98% of respondents facing fee hikes and warned that the tax could trigger economic flight.

Suggested a simpler two-tier tax rate approach and criticized the polling methodology used by the city.

Founder of a pediatric therapy center, she explained that health and social services operate on thin margins and shouldn't be lumped into high-margin professional categories.

Expressed concerns about regressive taxation, federal budget cuts, and the need to prioritize public services and transit.

Representing a major local manufacturer, she stated that the proposed tax hike would be tenfold for their facility and impact future local investment and hiring.

A business owner and chamber board member argued the polling was unfair and urged the council to spend more time consulting the business community.

Raised concerns that gross revenue does not reflect profitability, particularly for housing providers facing high overhead and pandemic losses.