The voters of Apple Valley will decide at the ballot box next month whether to approve a 1% sales tax to support city services through Measure P.
The Town Council voted in July to place the measure, formally titled the Citizen’s Transactions and Use Sales Tax Revenue Measure, before voters in the Nov. 5 election, citing eight straight years of budget shortfalls that they said now threaten city services and programs ranging from law enforcement to infrastructure.
If enacted, the measure would add an additional 1%, or 1 cent per dollar, sales tax on top of the existing 7.75% tax rate. It would remain in effect until reversed by voters in a future election.
The funds would remain in the city for local use, according to an analysis of the measure by Town Attorney Thomas Rice.
"All revenues raised by the tax would remain in the Town and not be shared with the State, County or any other agency," he wrote.
Like existing sales taxes, necessities including unprocessed groceries, rent payments, prescription medications and personal services, such as medical, dental and legal work, would be exempted.
Local voters rejected a similar proposal called Measure O in 2020.
But city officials say recent survey conducted by the city found 74% of respondent believed increased funding for city services was needed.
How much money would Measure P generate?
If passed, the new tax is expected to bring in roughly $9 million a year, according to Rice.
Proponents of Measure P have argued the funds are necessary to avoid cuts to the city's vital services. The 2023-2024 fiscal year budget was expected to see a deficit of $5.5 million.
Without the potential revenue Measure P would create, city officials said a $3.1 million shortfall was predicted for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Apple Valley has run budget deficits every year since 2016, according to city officials. But if approved by voters, city staff predicts a $5.9 million surplus.
The increase would bring Apple Valley's total sales tax in line with other nearby cities such as Victorville, Barstow and Ontario, which already have overall sales tax rates of 8.75%
Where will Measure P funds go?
Measure P funds would be administered and monitored by a newly formed Measure P Citizen's Oversight Committee , as tentatively authorized pending the passage of the measure through a Town Council resolution in August.
"The Measure P Oversight Committee will be tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in the collection and expenditure of the tax revenue, should the measure pass," according to a city statement . "The committee will be composed of local residents who will oversee and review the usage of funds generated by the tax, ensuring that they are used in a manner consistent with the intentions stated in the measure."
Potential uses specifically outlined in the ballot language include:
- Maintaining 911 response times
- Safe Route to School programs
- Responding to property crime, including thefts and burgalries
- Hiring and retaining sheriff's deputies
- Repairing streets and potholes
- Attracting and retaining local businesses
- Addressing homelessness
- Cleaning and maintaining public parks
- General town services
But in his analysis, Rice points out that there is no specific requirement in the measure regarding how the money must be spent.
"This tax would be a 'general tax,' meaning the revenues raised by the tax would go into the Town's general fund to pay for any lawful Town program, improvement, or service," he stated.
The Apple Valley Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4742 has issued a statement saying the organization took a "neutral" position on Measure P, noting that the Apple Valley Fire Protection District is not governed or funded by the city.
"As a general tax, Measure P is not earmarked for any specific service, including public safety, according to the statement. "It is important to note that a general use tax does not guarantee increased funding for law enforcement and has no impact on the Apple Valley Fire Protection District."
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley voters to decide on 1% sales tax that would pay for these services
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