This story was last updated at 10:06 p.m. Tuesday.
A sales tax increase to boost city coffers appeared headed toward approval after earning strong support from Guadalupe’s voters.
Measure N2020, “The Essential Services Transactions and Use Tax Measure,” proposed renewing a previous sales tax hike and raising the city’s rate 1% to maintain and enhance essential services.
The measure, which requires a majority to pass, reported 71.8% votes in favor and 28.4%, according to unofficial election results Tuesday, which included vote-by-mail and precinct ballots from city voters.
This measure came six years after Guadalupe voters overwhelmingly approved Measure X2014 to increase the sales tax by one-quarter cent with that measure in place for eight-and-a-half years.
At the time, it was one of three measures easily approved by voters as Guadalupe faced severe financial woes and some said the city might need to disincorporate.
Measure X handily earned 77.2% approval, while two other measures aimed at generating more revenue for Guadalupe earned more than 81% each.
If enacted, the new sales tax rate of 8.75% in Guadalupe would match rates now in place for the cities of Santa Maria and Lompoc. The current sales tax rate is 8%.
City Administrator Todd Bodem said the budget has recently relied on one-time fees from the Pasadera housing development and others, revenue that will run out once the project is done.
“Once that’s done we’re going to have gaps,” Bodem said.
The City Council recognized the previous sales tax hike would sunset relatively soon and decided to seek a renewal and an increase for the city’s sales tax rate.
City leaders estimate Measure N would raise more than $600,000 each year for Guadalupe.
Plans call for funding recreation programs, revitalize parks, develop the city library and enhance public safety, he added.
Like other city councils that put sales tax measures before voters, Guadalupe leaders noted the funding would stay locally and could not be diverted to Sacramento.
If approved, the new tax rate would take effect April 1, 2021 and would continue until repealed by voters. Specifically, the measure needs 50% plus one vote to pass.
Meanwhile, a trio of candidates seeking seats on the Guadalupe City Council ran unopposed in Tuesday’s election.
Mayor Ariston Julian will get another term while Councilman Antonio “Tony” Ramirez, an educator, will remain on the panel and will be joined by Gilbert Robles, who is self-employed.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
