A ballot measure to authorize a sales tax increase to fund services in Point Arena appears to be passing by a landslide, according to unofficial results released by Mendocino County.
Measure X, with a 74.9% yes vote as of Tuesday night and needing a simple majority to pass, will establish an additional 0.875% sales tax to fund city services such as public safety, Arena Cove pier operations and general government operations. The measure will raise the sales tax to 9.25%.
According to Point Arena’s City Council, the sales tax will generate an estimated $85,000 to $90,000 annually for the city’s general fund.
In the argument in favor of Measure X, signed by the five council members, the council stated that the city “can barely afford to maintain basic services like local street repaving or pothole repair, trash and litter pick-up, park maintenance and pier operations.”
The city’s funding hasn’t been able to keep up with inflation, and a drop in sales from local businesses has put a dent in revenue coming into the general fund.
“Sales tax generated $50,000 last fiscal year, dropping 37% from $79,000 in fiscal year 2021-2022,” the council wrote in support. The council also warned that “city finances have hit a major pothole that threatens our independence as an incorporated city.”
Measure X taxes will remain in effect until repealed by voters and revenues will be audited as part of the city’s annual audit of the general fund and documented in the city’s annual financial report.