Impartial Analysis of Measure G      

Jason Heath, Chief Assistant County Counsel

If this measure is approved by a majority of those voting on it, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz will be authorized to adopt an ordinance enacting a temporary increase to the retail transactions and use tax (“sales tax”) on retail transactions in the unincorporated area of the County.  The sales tax increase would be imposed for a period of twelve years at the rate of one-half of one percent on retail transactions in the unincorporated area only.  The current sales tax rate in the County of Santa Cruz is eight and one-half percent.  Accordingly, if this measure is approved, the sales tax rate would increase to nine percent for twelve years.  If approved, this measure is expected to take effect in or around April of 2019.

The revenue generated by this measure would be deposited in the County’s general fund and used by the County to pay for general County operations and services including emergency response, sheriff, fire, parks, street maintenance, mental health services, affordable housing, homelessness programs, youth and senior programs and economic development.

This measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz. 

A “yes” vote on Measure G is a vote to approve the increase in the sales tax.      

A “no” vote on Measure G is a vote against the increase in the sales tax.