Not seeing the need to use public money for educational material for the upcoming sales tax measure, the Oakdale City Council on Monday, July 5 declined to fund a $9,500 contract for a private consultant to handle informative services and materials. .

A proposal was made for the Lew Edwards Group, a communications, government affairs, and political consulting firm, to provide educational services to the public regarding the proposed half-cent sales tax measure that is slated for the Nov. 2011 ballot.

By law, public funds cannot be used to promote or endorse a measure but may be used to inform or educate the voters.

Public comment and comments from the council members themselves showed a reluctance to use additional city money for the measure.