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San Luis council approves calling May 20 special election on primary property tax after heated debate
Summary
After more than an hour of debate about timing and voter education, the San Luis City Council voted 4–3 to adopt Resolution No. 2351 to place a primary ad valorem property tax question on the May 20, 2025 special-election ballot.
The San Luis City Council voted 4–3 on Jan. 22 to adopt Resolution No. 2351, ordering a special election on May 20, 2025 to ask voters whether the city should implement a primary ad valorem property tax.
The measure will place a question on the May ballot about the amount to be raised by a primary property tax; the council debate focused less on the content of a final tax rate and more on whether now is the right time to ask voters. Mayor (name not specified in transcript) framed the vote as necessary to address persistent budget needs, saying, “If I gotta bring it every year while I'm the mayor I'm gonna bring it.”
The resolution’s supporters told the council a property tax would provide a stable local revenue stream for recurring needs such as police, fire and ambulance coverage. Opponents said the community was not yet sufficiently informed and suggested starting with a lower amount or more outreach before asking voters again. Acting City Manager Jenny Torres told the council the cost to place the measure on the ballot in May 2024 was “close to $61,000. That's what we paid in the year of, May 2024.”
Council members exchanged multiple procedural motions during the item. A motion to deny Resolution No. 2351 was made and seconded; the council then voted to approve and adopt the resolution. The council conducted a roll call that produced four votes in favor and three opposed. The roll-call sequence recorded: Council member Maria Cecilia Cruz — No; Council member Esteban Rosales — Aye; Council member Luis Cabrera — Nay; Council member Lizette Cerbin — Nay; Council member Javier Vargas — Aye; Vice Mayor (name not specified in transcript) — Aye; Mayor (name not specified in transcript) — Aye. The mayor announced the motion carried 4–3.
During public comment, resident James Allen Jr. urged caution and recommended pausing nonessential projects and reworking the budget, saying, “Stop all projects that are not necessary. Stop those projects. Put a hold on. Rework the budget for what you have.”
Why it matters: Council members and staff said the city faces recurring shortfalls for core services and that a property tax would create a predictable local revenue source to support long-term planning and staffing. Opponents and some council members said the city needs a sustained public-education campaign and possibly a lower initial ask to improve chances of voter approval.
Next steps: With Resolution No. 2351 adopted, the city clerk will proceed with election preparations for May 20, 2025. The council also discussed forming a council-led community education committee to spend the coming months engaging residents about the proposal.
