Mayfield holds public hearing on reauthorizing RAP sales tax ahead of ballot

The Mayfield Town Council held a public hearing Oct. 8 on reauthorizing the town’s Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) sales tax, a measure that will appear on the upcoming ballot as Proposition 2. Speaker 2 told attendees that, since adoption in 2013, the RAP tax has generated approximately $549,185 countywide and that Mayfield’s collected share has been about $22,812; Mayfield has historically received roughly $26,485 and 2025 collections are estimated at about $2,800.

Why it matters: The RAP tax funds local recreation and park improvements that council and volunteers said have benefited the town’s youth and facilities. Reauthorization would allow the town to continue collecting the small sales-tax increment that supports ballpark upgrades, playgrounds, and arts and parks programming.

What was said: Speaker 2 summarized the history and purpose of the tax and explained the ballot mechanics: ‘‘Because it’s a tax, it has to be on the ballot and approved by the citizens,’’ Speaker 2 said. A recreation-board member (Speaker 6) emphasized that the reauthorization is not a new tax but a formal renewal of funding the community already receives. Residents asked how the question will appear and whether mail-in ballots must be received by election day; staff confirmed the ballot language will appear as a sample on the flyer and emphasized that mail-in ballots must be received by election day to be counted.

Next steps: The council concluded the public hearing and will place the reauthorization before voters as Proposition 2. No council vote to place the measure on the ballot was recorded during the hearing; staff continued to provide voter and ballot-return information and encouraged turnout given unopposed local races.

A follow-up: Staff said they will include voter instructions (drop-box times and deadlines) in printed materials and on the town’s communications channels ahead of the election.