As city manager I am happy to have the opportunity to share facts about Measure G.

By now, most know that Measure G was placed on the ballot as an administrative measure to streamline the collection of an existing cannabis business fee with a comparable tax, after engagement with local cannabis businesses.

As this fee currently exists and businesses can and do pass on the cost to local customers, customers will not likely see any difference in price for legal cannabis products in South Lake Tahoe if Measure G is enacted.

While the intended reason behind Measure G’s placement on the November ballot was administrative streamlining and good government, recent economic forecasts highlight another change that Measure G would enact — the ability to provide relief to cannabis business owners that does not currently exist.

Instead of a flat fee that cannot be changed for the 10-year terms of the development agreements, Measure G would allow the City Council to reduce the comparable tax if and as needed, while providing a voter-approved cap on cannabis business taxes that cannot be lifted without voter action.

While the latest figures provided to the City do not show the revenue downturn in cannabis sales present in other California communities, Measure G would allow South Lake Tahoe to make timely adjustments should a downturn arise, without waiting seven to eight years until the current agreements expire.

If Measure G is not enacted, the fee will stay as is, at the current rate that businesses currently pay.

We encourage South Lake Tahoe residents to make an informed choice when voting and ask all eligible voters to participate in the local election. For factual information on items on your ballot, drop box and voting center locations, please visit http://www.cityofslt.us.

Thank you for being a South Lake Tahoe voter.

Joseph Irvin is the city manager of South Lake Tahoe.