California Living Museum (CALM Zoo) countywide 1/8-cent sales tax
Kern County · Kern County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM ZOO IMPROVEMENT AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 2026. Shall a measure establishing a countywide retail transactions and use tax of 0.125% (one-eighth of one percent) to fund the maintenance, improvement, and operation of the California Living Museum (CALM Zoo) be adopted, providing an estimated twenty-four million dollars annually until repealed by voters, with all revenue dedicated exclusively to CALM, managed by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and requiring independent audits and oversight by the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee?
In plain language
Measure Z would add a countywide sales tax of 0.125% (one-eighth of one percent) in Kern County. The money would pay to maintain, improve, and run the California Living Museum, also called the CALM Zoo. All of the money would go to CALM, which the ballot question says is managed by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. The tax would last until voters repeal it. It would require independent audits and review by the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee. A YES vote approves the tax. A NO vote means the tax is not adopted.
Fiscal impact
Adds a 0.125% countywide sales tax, expected to raise about $24 million a year for the CALM Zoo, until voters repeal it.
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.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.