Measure H: Transactions and Use Tax Measure
City of Ontario · San Bernardino County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
To maintain fire, paramedic, police, 911 response, anti-gang programs; respond to property crimes, thefts, burglaries; clean and maintain public areas; repair streets/potholes; address homelessness; increase access to affordable housing for seniors/families/individuals; retain/attract local businesses; for general City services; shall the measure establishing a half-cent sales tax providing approximately $32,500,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits, spending disclosure, funds locally controlled, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure H would add a half-cent sales tax in the City of Ontario. That is an extra 50 cents on every $100 spent. It would be paid on top of current sales taxes. It is a general tax. That means the money goes into the city's general fund and can pay for any lawful city service. Examples named include 911 fire, paramedic and police response, anti-gang programs, cleaning public areas, fixing streets and potholes, homelessness, affordable housing, and local businesses. The money would stay in the city. The tax would start April 1, 2027, and last until voters end it. A YES vote approves the tax. A NO vote does not approve it.
Fiscal impact
A half-cent (0.5%) sales tax, about 50 cents per $100 spent. It is estimated to raise about $32.5 million a year. It starts April 1, 2027, and lasts until repealed by voters.
Impartial analysis
CITY OF ONTARIO CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE “H” 1/2% TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX On August 7, 2026, the City Council voted to place Measure “H” on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. If approved by a majority of Ontario voters, this Measure would authorize a one-half percent (1/2%) retail transactions and use (sales) tax within the City of Ontario. A one- half percent (1/2%) rate equates to an extra 50¢ per $100 purchased. It is estimated that Measure “H” will provide an additional $32,500,000 in annual l ocal funding that could be used for maintaining general City services such as 911 fire, paramedic and police response, anti -gang programs , cleaning and maintaining public areas , r epairing streets and potholes, addressing homelessness, increasing access to affordable housing for seniors, families and individuals, and retaining and attracting local businesses . This tax would be a “general tax,” meaning that revenues raised from the tax would go into the City’s general fund to pay for any lawful City program, improvement, or service. California Proposition 218 and Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorize the City to levy a general transactions and use/sales tax at a rate of one-half percent (1/2%) so long as the tax is approved by a majority of the voters voting in an election on that issue. If approved, the tax would start being collected on April 1, 2027 and would remain in effect until repealed by voters at a subsequent election. The tax w ould 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 “H” will authorize the 1/2% transactions and use (sales) tax. A “no” vote on Measure “H” will not authorize the 1/2% transactions and use (sales) tax. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure “H”. If you des ire 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. /s/ RUBEN DURAN City Attorney
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Yes on Measure H for a Safer, Stronger Ontario Vote YES on Measure H to maintain a safe, strong Ontario for all residents. Quality of life matters. Having safe neighborhoods, streets in good repair and strong public safety services helps ensure we maintain it. Fast emergency response times save lives. Whether it's a medical emergency or house fire, every second counts. Ontario families deserve to know help is on the way. Measure H helps maintain fire, paramedic, and 911 emergency services so first responders are there when we need them most. Measure H keeps parks, playgrounds, trails, and public spaces maintained, safe and clean, giving children safe places to play and families clean recreational areas. Reducing traffic, repairing potholes and investing in drinking water infrastructure is a priority. Measure H makes our roads safer for children and drivers, and provides locally controlled funding so we have clean, reliable water and avoid costly repairs. Measure H expands affordable housing for veterans, seniors, and working families struggling with the rising cost of living, and supports proven programs connecting homeless residents to shelter, treatment, and outreach services. Measure H has a clear system of transparency and accountability. Every dollar of Measure H stays under local control and cannot be taken by the state or county. Independent audits and public disclosure ensure every penny is spent as promised. Essential purchases like groceries, prescription medications, and diapers are exempt. Measure H protects public safety and the essential services residents rely on every day. • Maintain fire, paramedic, police, and 911 emergency response • Repair streets and potholes, and reduce dangerous speeding • Keep neighborhoods and public spaces safe, clean, and well maintained • Expand affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and working families • Support proven programs addressing homelessness Firefighters, Police Officers, Neighbors, and Small Business Owners all agree – Vote Yes on Measure H!
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR MEASURE H Highest Sales Tax Rate Measure H is another Forever Tax. It raises Ontario's sales tax from 8.75% to 9.25%, with no end date, giving Ontario the highest sales tax rate in San Bernardino County. Wrong Tax - Worst Time Families face rising costs; small businesses fight to stay competitive. Measure H makes shopping in Ontario more expensive, pushing shoppers elsewhere. Taxing You Is Unnecessary Other Inland Empire cities pursue warehouse and industrial taxes instead of raising your sales tax. Ontario City Council should consider those options before asking families and small businesses to pay more. Promises Without Guarantees Measure H doesn't dedicate one dollar to firefighters, paramedics, police or 911. The Ontario City Council can spend all $32.5 million elsewhere and still comply. A $32.5 Million City Council Piggy Bank Measure H puts about $32.5 million a year into the Ontario City Council's piggy bank. Police, fire, potholes, parks, housing and homelessness are promised, but there are no funding guarantees. Audits Don't Guarantee Spending The Argument in Favor claims audits ensure "every penny is spent as promised." Audits show where money goes; they can't force the Ontario City Council to spend it as promised. Ontario Residents and Businesses Don't Agree The Argument in Favor claims neighbors and small business owners "all agree." They don't. Ontario residents and business owners oppose this tax and signed the official Argument Against. None of the Argument in Favor signers lives in Ontario. If Public Safety Is the Promise, Put It in the Law. They don't. Vote NO on Measure H. VoteNoOnH.com
Argument against
.... ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE H Stop Another Ontario City Council Sales Tax Increase VoteNoOnH.com In 2022, the Ontario City Council promised Measure Q would meet the City's needs. Voters approved a 1% sales tax bringing City Hall $60 million a year. Four years later, they're back with the same promises, demanding another permanent tax. What happened to the first one? Highest Sales Tax Measure H would raise Ontario's sales tax to 9.25%, giving Ontario the highest sales tax in San Bernardino County. The City Council wants Ontario taxpayers to pay the County's highest sales tax. Another "Forever Tax" Measure H has no expiration, just like Measure Q. Another Blank Check Measure H gives the City Council another $32.5 million every year to spend however it wants. Vanity Projects, Not Neighborhoods Instead of promised neighborhood services, the City Council poured Measure Q money into massive projects, including the Ontario Sports Empire, estimated at nearly $500 million. They got their luxury box. We got the bill. No Independent Oversight Again, City Hall monitors City Hall. No Independent Citizens' Oversight. No guarantee politicians spend the money as promised. Measure H comes down to trust. Can we trust this City Council with another blank check? FBI Raids In Ontario The FBI searched Councilmember Alan Wapner's home and Ontario International Airport. Ontario City Hall received a federal subpoena. This is the worst time to give the City Council millions more in unrestricted tax money. Wrong Time For Another Tax Families and small businesses are struggling with higher costs. The City Council shouldn't make everything we buy even more expensive. .., ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE H Page 2 Warehouses Should Pay Ontario is a warehouse and logistics powerhouse. Redlands taxes large distribution centers. Perris is pursuing a warehouse and industrial tax. The Ontario City Council never considered making big warehouse operators pay more before taxing everyone again. Ontario families make tough choices. The City Council should too. Vote No on the Ontario City Council Sales Tax. VoteNoOnH.com
Ontario's quality of life depends on delivering the essential services to our residents-fast emergency response times, clean parks, and safe roads. This truth is lost on our opponents, who didn't even take the time to do their homework and learn the facts about Measure H. Here are the facts: • Measure H requires a transparent, clear system of accountability. Public disclosure of all spending and annual independent financial audits ensure accountability. That's not a talking point; it's built into the text of the measure to make sure every penny is accounted for. • Measure H ensures everyone pays their fair share. Warehouses and commercial activity will pay, but so will visitors, workers, shoppers, and anyone else passing through Ontario helping fund the essential services residents depend on. • Measure H funds rapid, reliable fire, paramedic, and 911 response. In an emergency, every second counts. Measure H ensures first responders are there when we need them most. • Measure H makes our roads safer. Fixing potholes, repairing roads, and reducing traffic can make our streets safer while helping avoid costly repairs later. • Measure H expands affordable housing. As the cost of living continues to rise, Measure H helps veterans, seniors, and working families through programs that reduce homelessness and make Ontario more affordable. Don't just take our word for it. Trust the firefighters and police officers who keep us safe. Carpenters, laborers, and small business owners who fuel our economy. Trust the working-class, blue-collar people who live in Ontario. They all did their homework. Vote Yes on H! c~rv c ...E;~~~s uI-r~cr Rr.1mAUG20'26P• 12:Q4
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.