WeHo puts preemptive sales tax measure on November ballot

On Aug. 5, the West Hollywood City Council approved a ballot measure for the November election that could safeguard potential sales taxes for city use. The use of a one-quarter cent tax would only take effect if a further district sales tax is enacted. Essentially, this item would earmark that tax to go to the city and not to the county or state. Beverly Hills voters approved a similar measure in 2020.

“Under state law, there is a maximum amount of sales tax which can be charged by local jurisdictions,” Councilman John Heilman said. “However, the sales tax can be imposed by any taxing agency including the county. If it is imposed by the city, the revenue stays within the city and can be controlled by the city. If the sales tax is imposed by another taxing agency such as the county, it doesn’t stay within West Hollywood and the city has no say in how the money is used … The ballot measure essentially preserves those funds for the West Hollywood community if some other governmental agency tries to take them. And if that happens, the increased sales tax revenue will stay in West Hollywood and the city can use the funds for a variety of purposes such as enhancing public safety, cleaning up streets and addressing other quality of life issues of concern to the community.”

Heilman stressed that there would “be no immediate increase in sales tax paid by consumers.”

“An increase will only go into effect if some other governmental agency within the county tries to increase the sales tax or, if at some point in the future, there is an urgent need for the funds,” Heilman said.




https://beverlypress.com/2024/08/weho-puts-preemptive-sales-tax-measure-on-november-ballot/