Measure E Seeks To Raise San Diego's Sales Tax
SAN DIEGO, CA — City of San Diego voters will decide whether to raise the local sales tax.
Measure E would raise the city's sales tax rate by one cent to support general municipal services.
The tax hike would generate an additional $360 million to $400 million annually for local services, according to the city's Independent Budget Analyst . The revenue would go into the city's general fund, meaning it would not be restricted to any one use.
The city anticipates using the funds to support new and existing infrastructure, such as streets, sidewalks, streetlights, flood prevention and water quality systems, according to the Independent Budget Analyst's report. The funds are also anticipated to help address the city's infrastructure backlog, as well as support operating costs, including public safety and emergency response, neighborhood services and internal support services.
Mayor Todd Gloria and City Councilmember Raul Campillo proposed the measure, which the City Council voted unanimously in July to place on the November ballot.
If approved, the city's sales tax would increase from 7.75% to 8.75%. The new sales tax would become effective on April 1, 2025.
The measure is supported by San Diego City Firefighters, San Diego Lifeguards, San Diego Police Officers Association, San Diego Middle Class Taxpayers Association, San Diego Municipal Employees Association and San Diego Coastkeeper.
An argument filed in favor of Measure E said every San Diego neighborhood would benefit from the funds.
"San Diego's neighborhood improvement measure will allow us to have an immediate impact in every San Diego neighborhood with better roads and neighborhood infrastructure, faster emergency response times, and improved storm readiness," the augment reads in part.
Those against the measure include the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. Opponents argue that raising the sales tax is not the way to address funding shortfalls. In an argument filed against the measure, opponents also took issue with the fact that there is no sunset clause, meaning there is no expiration date for the sales tax increase.
"Given the city's history of management blunders, you'd expect some humility," the augment reads in part. "But no, the city's leadership thinks they deserve our trust indefinitely without an end date."
Measure E requires a simple majority to pass.
Voters can learn more about the measure , and others on ballots across the region, on the county's election website .
