Santa Cruz County voters appear in early, unofficial election night results to favor raising the sales tax in the county by a half-cent.
Measure E needs a simple majority to pass and led initial returns with about 60% of votes recorded so far in support.
The measure is projected to raise about $27 million a year for the city’s general fund. Backers pledged to dedicate the money to shore up lost federal funding for food assistance, health care and general services.
The extra tax would expire in five years.
The tax would apply countywide, including in incorporated cities that have passed their own tax increases.
If Measure E is passed, the new rates would range from 9.75% in Capitola to 10% in the unincorporated area, and 10.25% in the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz.