Orange Sales Tax Increase Election Night Results 2024

Voters successful Orange weighed successful connected whether they privation to summation their income taxation from 7.75% to 8.25% successful a determination metropolis officials anticipation volition avert a municipal fund crisis. 

As of 8 p.m. connected Election Night, 51% of voters were opposed, portion astir 49% were successful favour – a quality of 257 votes, according to the OC Registrar of Voters. 

If the measurement – known arsenic Measure Z – passes, officials accidental captious section services could beryllium maintained, an contented metropolis officials person been fumbling with since cutting programs successful an effort to hole the fund deficit.  

Currently, the metropolis is successful a $6.7 cardinal shortage and is projected to scope $29 cardinal successful 5 years. According to a city website, they are “expected to tally retired of reserve backing successful 18 to 24 months if it maintains existent work levels.” 

If approved, the City of Orange would inactive beryllium connected the little extremity of the spectrum of income tax successful Orange County – with Los Alamitos, Santa Ana and Westminster having the highest rates astatine 9.25%. 

Local autoship dealers person been gearing up to combat the measure, saying the determination volition thrust distant business. 

The Orange Police Union governmental enactment committee spent implicit $13,000 connected flyers and integer ads successful enactment of the measurement arsenic of Oct. 19.

The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association spent astir $250,000 – mostly connected mailers – against the measurement arsenic of Oct. 19.

City assembly members person slashed assorted areas of spending, including a crossing defender programme that was met with nonmigratory backlash successful June – with officials aboriginal reinstating it aft fiscal assistance from OC Supervisors. 

[Read: OC Supervisors Help Fund Crossing Guards successful Orange Amid City Budget Cuts]

Janitorial services person besides been chopped astatine metropolis buildings similar the room and metropolis hallway which has near residents and unit having to woody with vermin issues. 

[Read: Cuts to Orange City Hall’s Janitorial Services Leads to Vermin Problem]

Gigi Gradillas is simply a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow. Contact her astatine [email protected] oregon connected Twitter @gigigradillas.

•••