Overview

• The Board of Supervisors unanimously placed the five-eighths cent general sales tax measure on the Nov. 4 special election ballot following an emergency meeting.
• If voters approve, the county rate would rise from 9.125% to 9.75%, generating an estimated $330 million annually from April 1, 2026, through its sunset on April 1, 2031.
• Officials selected a general sales tax requiring just over 50% voter approval rather than a special tax needing two-thirds support to meet the ballot-filing deadline.
• County leaders warn the measure would cover only about one-third of the projected $1–1.4 billion Medi-Cal revenue loss, necessitating additional state aid and deeper budget cuts, including possible layoffs.
• Opposition from taxpayer advocates and community critics over the emergency process has spurred plans for extensive voter outreach and an independent oversight committee to track spending.