Anaheim council pauses tourism and parking tax push after hours of public comment, staff told to explore broader revenue options

The Anaheim City Council voted to continue consideration of proposed citywide taxes on event admissions and large private parking lots after a lengthy public-comment period that split labor, police and resort-industry voices.

At the end of the night's discussion the council voted 5–2 to continue the matter to a date uncertain and asked staff to return with additional revenue options and economic analyses. Staff had estimated a 3% admissions tax on large venues could yield roughly $89 million to $134 million a year and a 10% parking tax another $19 million to $30 million annually, subject to substantial implementation and legal complexity.

The proposal prompted sharply divergent public testimony. The Anaheim Police Association urged the council to place a ticket tax on the ballot to help staff an understaffed police force, citing what association leaders described as a roughly 70‑officer gap in department staffing. "Place…