The “Santa Ana Streets, Public Safety, Essential City Services” Measure, also known as Measure N, would eliminate the scheduled reduction and 2039 expiration of the city’s local sales tax.
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That would make the 1.5% tax collected and delivered into city coffers permanent — unless later repealed by voters.
Measure N, which was placed on the ballot by the City Council, says the local tax generates about $84,000,000 annually, which supporters say is important funding for general city services, including but not limited to 911 emergency response, fire/paramedic services, police and crime prevention, pothole and street repair, graffiti and litter removal, as well as parks and playgrounds.
The revenue would also be used to address an “anticipated structural deficit” at the discretion of the Santa Ana City Council, officials said.
The measure continues a tax originally approved by voters as Measure X in 2018. Measure X is set to reduce the local sales tax collected to 1% in 2029 and eliminate it in 2039.
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With the 7.25% collected statewide and the additional half-cent collected in Orange County for transportation needs, the total sales tax rate collected in Santa Ana is 9.25%.
Measure N would maintain existing oversight requirements, including a citizen oversight committee, annual independent audits, and annual public disclosure of spending.
Supporters of the measure include Santa Ana Councilmember Thai Phan, Measure X Committee Member Michael Chu, Santa Ana Police Officers Association Executive Board Member Paul McClaskey, and resident Adriana Alba, who emphasize the measure is “not a tax increase” and warn that without it the city faces cuts to critical services.
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There was no ballot argument submitted against the measure.
Measure N needs a simple majority of the votes to pass.