Orange releases ballot language for city sales tax measure
The city has released ballot language on its website for the local sales tax measure the Orange City Council voted earlier this month to put before voters in November.
Orange is calling its proposal to add a half-cent sales tax to raise local revenue over the next decade the “City of Orange Public Safety and City Services Measure.” If approved by Orange voters it will raise the sale tax on purchases in town from 7.75% to 8.25%.
City officials say the tax bump, if approved, would generate approximately $19 million per year until the tax sunsets after 10 years. Without the money, officials say Orange’s annual deficit could grow to $26 million by 2029, yet the city expects to run out of reserve funding in 18 to 24 months if it maintains current service levels and does not receive additional revenue.
City leaders say Orange began running a structural deficit during the Great Recession despite making $91 million worth of departmental operating cuts and deferring $30 million of maintenance since 2008.
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/07/18/city-of-orange-appeals-to-voters-to-approve-local-sales-tax-measure/