On Dec. 5, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the March 5 primary ballot.
Sales tax in the unincorporated area is 9%, tied for the lowest among jurisdictions in Santa Cruz County.
If voters approve, the sales tax would increase to 9.5%.
All eligible voters in the county can vote on the measure, but the tax increase would only apply in unincorporated areas, Aptos, Corralitos, Freedom, Soquel, Live Oak, San Lorenzo Valley and Bonny Doon.
The Board adopted these funding priorities:
- Wildfire, flood and other disaster response, prevention, and recovery services;
- Affordable housing to support working families and frontline workers;
- Critical community programs providing mental health crisis services for children, substance use disorder treatment, and homelessness services.
- Continuing ongoing work to enhance the local road network, maintain and improve parks and recreation programs, and deliver high-quality public safety services to the community.
In June, the board passed a proposed budget for fiscal 2023-24 but it was “austere and did not forecast significant new investments in our priorities, staff or community, while maintaining minimum levels of budget reserves and projecting significant future deficits through fiscal year 2027-28,” according to county spokesman Jason Hoppin.
Santa Cruz County provides “municipal” services to more than half of the county population living in the unincorporated area, and provides public safety, health and human services countywide.
Times Publishing Group, Inc. aims to publish pro and con opinions, 500 word maximum, on the proposed sales tax increase. Email editor Jondi Gumz at [email protected].
For more on this measure, read “County Sales Tax Measure Coming“