Santa Rosa City Council puts sales tax hike on November ballot

Santa Rosa voters will decide in November whether to extend and increase the city’s existing local sales tax to help fund public safety, road repairs and other city services as officials work to address ongoing budget shortfalls.

The Santa Rosa City Council voted Tuesday to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot. If approved, it would reauthorize the city’s existing half-cent Measure Q sales tax at an updated 1-cent rate until ended by voters. City officials said the money would help support general services such as 911 emergency medical and fire response, police response to violent crimes, street and pothole repairs, and keeping public spaces safe and clean.