Local Taxes

Voters in 10 counties will decide the fate of 14 local tax measures November 2. If all of the measures are approved, it would represent a $53.3 million tax increase for taxpayers in the affected areas.  The largest tax increase is Moreno Valley’s Measure G, which proposes a 1 percent sales tax increase that would bring the total sales tax to 8.75 percent in the city and would cost taxpayers an estimated $20 million per year. Another large tax hike…

Voters in three counties approved two local tax measures – representing an estimated $4.9 million per year in new taxes – in elections consolidated with the September 14 gubernatorial recall election. Measure T, a parcel tax requiring a two-thirds vote for passage, received 79 percent of the vote. The $179 parcel tax will provide $3.7 million annually to fund wildfire protection services within the Truckee Fire Protection District, which serves Nevada and Placer counties. The tax will sunset in eight…

When they cast their ballots in the September 14 gubernatorial recall election, voters in three counties also will decide the fate of two local tax measures. Measure T, a parcel tax to fund a fire district that serves Nevada and Placer counties, proposes an annual tax of $179 per parcel. The tax, which requires a two-thirds vote for passage, would provide $3.7 million annually to the Truckee Fire Protection District to fund wildfire protection services. The tax would sunset in eight years. The special election for Measure T originally was scheduled…

California cities are experiencing significant tax revenue growth, the state auditor reported August 17, adding: “Because of these increased revenues, most cities are well positioned to increase or improve services for residents or reduce taxes and fees.” A chart in the report carried the headline, “Fiscal Drought? City Revenues Actually Are Pouring In.” Out of the more than 450 cities in California, only one – Yountville – is projected to receive insufficient stimulus funds, property tax revenue, and other tax…

Voter-approved sale tax rate increases took effect July 1 in many areas of the state, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration notified retailers in a special notice. The tax rate is now in double digits in many areas, climbing to 10.75 percent in several Bay Area cities. In Santa Rosa, voters extended a sales tax that was set to expire, but the rate remains at 9.25 percent. Shoppers may have a challenging time trying to estimate sales tax…

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) voted March 18 to approve a stipulated settlement fining the city of Fountain Valley $18,000 for using tax dollars to campaign for a sales tax measure, in violation of the Political Reform Act. Government entities are banned from spending public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures. Like many local governments, Fountain Valley attempted to get around this ban by paying for a magazine ad that presented a very positive view of Measure…

Voter-approved sale tax rate increases will take effect April 1 in many areas of the state, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration notified retailers in a special notice. In 11 cities, the new tax rate will be 10.25 percent. Ten of the cities are in Los Angeles County (Bell Gardens, Bellflower, City of Commerce, Lancaster, Lomita, Palmdale, San Fernando, Signal Hill, South El Monte, and West Hollywood). The remaining 10.25 percent city is El Cerrito, in Contra Costa…

Updated election results indicate that only one of the six local taxes in March 2 elections was approved by voters. All of the measures would earmark revenue for specific purposes, making them special taxes that require at least two-thirds of the vote to pass. The final official vote count for a parcel tax placed on the ballot by the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District indicated that with 700 ballots cast, the measure fell three votes short of…

Preliminary election results indicate that only one of the local taxes on March 2 ballots was approved by voters, while three were rejected and the fate of two remains uncertain based on early results. All of the measures would earmark revenue for specific purposes, making them special taxes that require at least two-thirds of the vote to pass. The measure that clearly passed will impose a parcel tax in a Marin County district that includes just 22 improved parcels, and…

Voters in several parts of the state will decide the fate of local tax measures – primarily parcel taxes – in March and May. The table below, compiled by CalTax using data from local elections offices and media reports, will be posted online and updated with results after the elections. All of the measures are special taxes that need at least a two-thirds vote to be approved, and all were placed on the ballot by local government bodies acting in…