Elk Grove Measure E: What a one-cent sales tax increase could fund for city services
Elk Grove residents in November will vote on whether to increase the city’s sales tax by 1%.
The city’s Measure E on the Nov. 8 ballot, known as the Elk Grove Safety/Quality of Life Measure, would raise the current sales tax to 8.25% from its current 7.25%.
How does Measure E read on the ballot?
Elk Grove Safety/Quality of Life Measure. To support essential services such as crime reduction; rapid 9-1-1, fire, police, medical emergency/disaster response; keeping public areas safe/clean; addressing homelessness; pothole repair/street/park maintenance; youth crime/gang prevention programs; and other general community purposes; shall the measure establishing a 1¢ sales tax providing approximately $21,300,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits, citizen oversight, public spending dis-closures, and all funds locally controlled, be adopted?
▪ Read the impartial analysis prepared by the county’s election office
What does a ‘yes’ vote mean?
A “yes” on Measure E would increase the sales tax in the city limits by 1%. It would add a penny to every dollar spent on taxable items, including retail goods like furniture, gifts, toys and clothing, as well as to-go food items. If passed, taxes are expected to be collected starting in April.
What does a ‘no’ vote mean?
A “no” would keep the sales tax in the city to 7.25%.
Who benefits?
Elk Grove would receive $21.3 million a year from the increase, if the measure passes.
How that revenue will be divided is yet unclear, but Elk Grove officials have said they are listening to residents, more than 60% of whom across the city’s four council districts said they would vote to approve a general-purpose tax measure.
City officials say they will use the list of needs and priorities to guide their initial spending.
Speeding the city’s response to medical emergencies; reducing crime and addressing homelessness; spending more money to improve and maintain its streets, roads and 100 public parks; and fund after-school programs to curb youth crime are all high priorities for Elk Grove residents, according to polling commissioned by the city.
Who supports it?
An argument in support of the measure was filed by former local firefighter and police community advisory member Sheldon Fields on behalf of supporters including former Elk Grove police chief Bryan Noblett, Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce CEO Angela Perry, neighborhood association president Sharon Anderson and business owner and youth and park advocate Viraj Shah.
Who opposes it?
No argument was filed opposing Measure E but some Elk Grove residents have voiced concerns over the timing of the ballot measure as Californians cope with record-breaking inflation.