It's very simple: Cathedral City will lose some of its basic services, including police protective services, if Measure L does not pass.

We're not trying to be alarmists. If the 3 percent increase in the utility users tax on the November ballot doesn't pass, the city will continue to function. Belt-tightening and smart choices will have to be part of the plan. Elimination of positions from natural attrition will likely happen anyway. Additional layoffs will follow.

Such scaling back happens all the time in cities all over the nation, and, usually, residents don't really notice it. But Cathedral City is operating on enough of a deficit — $11 million — that residents will feel the pinch if this money is not generated.

We believe this because residents already notice longer-than-average emergency response times. While state and county programs are working to reduce crime in the city, a certain amount of lawlessness continues to fester.

Our concern is — and Police Chief Stan Henry agrees — that any more reductions to police and fire services will result in a diminished quality of life in Cathedral City and people will began to flee the city. No one wants that.

And before complaining about how the current mayor and council have squandered city revenues and run business out of town, we're not buying it. Realize that there were legitimate reasons some businesses had to leave and take their tax dollars with them. The overall economy is suffering. Also, remember the July rain storm that dumped more than $800,000 in damage and cleanup costs on the city. Some things are simply out of City Hall's control.

The 3 percent utility users tax will pump an initial $2.6 million into the city. It's not nearly enough to close the budget gap, but it will help residents continue to receive the most vital services in a reasonable manner.

Voters should pass Measure L.