Telepeer

Buena Park sales tax increase will be before voters in the fall

July 30, 2024

Buena Park residents will decide in November whether to hike the city’s sales tax by 1% to boost funding for the local infrastructure and the Buena Park Police Department.

The City Council, in a unanimous vote last week, agreed that a new, long-term funding source is necessary for the city to afford repairing streets, improving community programs for senior citizens and hiring more police officers, among a myriad of other local services.

Dana Point ballot measure sets public vote about short-term rentals in November
San Clemente council to consider new proposal for adding a local sales tax on the November ballot
La Palma ballot measure could expand councilmembers’ term limits to 12 consecutive years
Huntington Beach voters to decide on housing charter amendment this November
Cypress is changing how it runs elections. Here’s what it means for November’s Election Day

The measure, called the “Buena Park Public Safety/Essential Services Measure,” will be placed on the Nov. 5 ballot. If passed, the city’s sales tax would increase from the current 7.75% — the minimum possible tax rate in Orange County — to 8.85%. Sales tax does not apply to groceries, medicine, medical, dental, real estate, rent, education and utilities.

According to an assessment of the Buena Park Police Department by an outside consulting firm, the city’s sworn officer count has remained the same for more than three decades, despite the number of residents increasing. That assessment recommended 25 new positions — 15 sworn and 10 non-sworn — to be added to the police force. Sworn law enforcement are armed and have arrest authority, while non-sworn personnel are unarmed and cannot take people into custody.

Assistant city manager Eddie Fenton said it would cost the city up to $6 million annually to sustain those new roles, not taking into account any necessary vehicle or equipment purchases, nor pension and benefits for new officers.

When asked by Councilmember Connor Traut whether the city could afford to hire more police with its current revenue, city manager Aaron France said “no.” He added that better parks and roads are also impossible with the current revenue.

The tax hike is expected to generate approximately $20 million annually for the city’s general revenue, Fenton said.

Traut stressed that a good chunk of the sales tax would be paid by non-residents. According to a July staff report, out-of-town visitors and other non-residents who visit local attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm foot an estimated 42% of Buena Park sales tax.

“But every penny in new revenues would be spent on services that benefit residents, like road repair, well-maintained parks and better public safety,” the report said.

“It’s 1% more on some goods and services, to receive 20% more from their city every single year,” Traut said of the tax hike.

Councilmember Art Brown, a longtime resident of Buena Park, said the tax increase will benefit him when he’s off the dais.

“I will no longer be on the council when this takes effect, but this will benefit me as a resident,” said Brown, who’s in his last year on the Council. “The city desperately needs this funding, and I hope the citizens give it to us.”

The deadline for a city council to request placing a measure on the November ballot is Friday, Aug. 9.

Local News |

Anaheim will buy Lincoln Avenue motel for $3.9 million

Local News |

Court gives Huntington Beach one year to update housing plans

Local News |

State commissions pressure Newport Beach to hold off on plan for mooring rates

Local News |

Newport Beach council decides not to put city’s housing element out to voters

Local News |

A return to remember: Long Beach Airport welcomes public back to its Historic Terminal

Orange County Register