 |
|
|
|
|
Editorial
City sees fee for services as a 'subsidy'
The usual understanding of the term "fee for services" is that one of the parties to a contract will provide services and the other party will pay for services rendered.
In spite of the fact that the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce has been providing visitor information and promotional services for the city of Saratoga with an expired contract, both the city and the Chamber have been fulfilling their part of the bargain.
Now, however, the city has begun talking about ending its relationship with the Chamber altogether.
Why? The city doesn't like the position the Chamber took on Measure E, the West Valley-Mission Community College district bond measure on the March 5 ballot. The city council opposed the measure; the Chamber, looking at it from the perspective of a business association, went the other way.
It's not the first time the city has threatened the Chamber for taking a stand that didn't sit right with local politicians. A couple of years ago, council members complained that the Chamber wasn't "in sync" with the city, and considered a number of restrictions and demands that went way beyond the normal fee-for-services understanding.
At issue then were pro-business positions the Chamber had taken on the Mountain Winery and Azule Crossing.
The city, for reasons we can't fathom, seems to think that it is providing a "subsidy" to the Chamber rather than paying for services rendered.
And the city wants to muzzle the Chamber in exchange for that subsidy.
Unfortunately for the Chamber, a portion of the fee the city pays for services comes in the form of the tiny office the Chamber "rents" from the city for $1 per year. This makes the city's threat particularly draconian--muzzle yourself, or we'll throw you out of your home.
The Chamber is in a difficult position. As long as the city considers its fee for services a subsidy, it will continue to feel justified demanding that the Chamber do its bidding.
What's more, the city has hired an economic development coordinator, a staff position whose job description looks quite a lot like a mission statement for a Chamber of Commerce. And the economic development coordinator, from the perspective of the city council, has the advantage of reporting to the city--not to a board of directors of an independent business association.
The Chamber, recognizing the importance of a cooperative arrangement between its organization and the city, has repeatedly said it wants to renew its contract with the city.
The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has rallied around the Saratoga Chamber, defending its right to speak freely and take positions on issues. The San Jose organization has even offered to help the Saratoga Chamber in any way, including finding a new home if the city evicts the business association.
Given the nature of Saratoga politics, we suggest that the Chamber think long and hard about this offer.
The city might sign a new contract for visitor and promotional services, but the chances that the city will ever consider its payment for these services anything but an outright subsidy are slim.
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1955
