Voters throughout Riverside will have an opportunity to say yea or nay to a proposed sales tax increase on the June primary election ballot, following the City Council’s approval of a measure seeking the hike.
The council voted unanimously Tuesday to place the proposed quarter-cent boost in Measure Z assessments before voters on June 2. Administrators estimated the new impost would generate $21 million for municipal coffers annually.
“Our community has an opportunity to provide a higher level of service, and this measure puts that decision in the hands of voters,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said.
According to a report by the Office of the City Manager, while the increase isn’t vital to balancing the budget, it would provide coverage of others expenses, ranging from public safety to infrastructure.
Fiscal watchdogs who monitor municipal affairs are expected to provide statements attached to the ballot measure arguing why the proposal isn’t essential.
Currently, Measure Z mandates a 1-cent tax on local consumer transactions. Under the new proposal, that would go up to 1.25 cents.
“No one enjoys paying taxes, but when those dollars stay local and go directly back into improving our own community, that’s something I can support,” Councilman Steven Robillard said.
Measure Z was approved by voters in 2016. Supporters argued it was vital to capture the additional sales tax revenue to fill gaps that emerged amid austerity budget cuts at the time.
There was significant emphasis on public safety needs in campaign literature.
According to city officials, the proposed increase, which only requires a bare majority for approval because it’s classified as a “general tax,” would aid in paying for two new fire stations, along with animal control, equipment for emergencies and related needs.
Measure Z’s current sunset date is 2036.