San Luis council unanimously cancels May property‑tax special election, adds emergency clause

The San Luis City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2357, which cancels and vacates the special election scheduled for May 20, 2025 on a proposed primary ad valorem property tax. The council also added an emergency clause so the cancellation would take effect immediately; the motion passed 6‑0 by roll call.

City Attorney Kaye McQuill told the council the item "removes the property tax ballot from the election in May" and estimated the city would save roughly $70,000 on the cost of holding the election. Mayor Nieves Bridal said she removed the ballot from the election citing constituent feedback and argued that council members should be prepared to make sacrifices if asking residents for support on tax measures.

Councilmember Esteban Rosales moved to approve the resolution with the emergency clause; Councilmember Maria Cecilia Cruz seconded the motion. The council conducted a roll call specifically for the emergency clause because, McQuill said, an emergency requires a unanimous vote of all six members. The roll call returned unanimous approval and the chair announced, "Motion carries 6 to 0."

Council members said canceling the ballot would avoid the printing and election costs if the council was not prepared to ask residents to approve a tax increase at this time. The resolution also repealed Resolution No. 2351 and included standard severability language; the city asked the county election office and the printer to suspend related work.