Measure O: Measure O : City of Calexico Public Safety Sales Tax

In plain language

Measure O would create a special sales tax in Calexico. The money would pay for public safety. This includes police, fire, emergency medical response, and disaster preparedness. A YES vote starts the tax at half a percent. The tax would rise to 1% starting October 1, 2030. It would last 20 years total. It requires audits and citizen oversight. A NO vote does not create this tax.

Fiscal impact

A special sales tax starting at 0.5% (raising about $4,000,000 a year) and rising to 1% on October 1, 2030 (raising about $8,000,000 a year), lasting 20 years total.

Impartial analysis

1/2% (ADJUSTING TO 1%) SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX FOR TWENTY (20) YEARS TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES On July 1, 2026, the City Council unanimously voted to place Measure O on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. By placing Measure O on the ballot, the City complies with Article XIIIC of the California Constitution (Proposition 218) and California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.91, which require 2/3 of voters to approve an ordinance that establishes a special retail transactions and use (sales) tax. If approved by 2/3 of Calexico voters voting on it, Measure O would establish a special retail transactions and use (sales) tax within the City to fund public safety facilities, programs and services. If passed, the rate would initially be one -half percent (1/2%) of the retail sales price, until Calexico Measure “H” (the City’s current 1/2% general sales tax) expires on September 30, 2030. The rate would then adjust to one percent (1%) of the retail sales price. This special tax would remain in effect for twenty (20) years until it expires on March 31, 2047. Any extension of this tax beyond that date would require 2/3 voter approval at a future City election. It is estimated that Measure O will provide an additional $4,000,000 in annual local funding when collected at a ½% rate, increasing to $8,000,000 when collected at a 1% rate. Under State law, special tax funds must be deposited in a separate City bank account, annually audited and separately reported, and dedicated to specific City purposes (in contrast to a general tax which may be spent on any valid City expense). Measure O provides that its funding shall be divided 50%/50% between police/law enforcement/crime prevention purposes and fire/emergency medical response (paramedic/ambulance)/disaster preparedness purposes. Funds in each category may be used to (i) purchase or lea se real property, vehicles, equipment and supplies (ii) design, construct, operate, repair and maintain facilities; (iii) pay for salaries, benefits and training of personnel; and (iv) utility expenses, insurance, legal fees and other operational costs of providing facilities, programs and services to the City. Measure O establishes a seven (7) member Citizens’ Oversight Committee consisting of Calexico residents. The Committee shall be authorized to review the revenues collected by the City from this special tax and the expenditures made from such revenues and report th eir findings to the City Council. This tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes. All revenues raised by the tax would remain in the City and would not be shared with the State, County or any other agency. A “yes” vote on Measure O will authorize the special transactions and use (sales) tax. A “no” vote on Measure O will not authorize the special transactions and use (sales) tax. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure O. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please call the City’s elections official at [phone number omitted] and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.