Cerritos Council Opposes Proposed LA County Half‑Cent Sales Tax; Mayor Pro Tem Recuses
Loading...
Summary
The Cerritos City Council voted 4–0 (with one recusal) to oppose a proposed countywide half‑cent sales tax, citing concerns about loss of local sales‑tax capacity and that revenue would go to the county general fund rather than be restricted to health services; staff will send a letter of opposition to the Board of Supervisors.
The Cerritos City Council on Feb. 9 voted 4–0, with Mayor Pro Tem Linda Johnson recused, to oppose a proposed half‑cent sales tax the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering for the June ballot.
City staff told the council the measure, presented as supporting health and safety‑net services, would be levied countywide and deposited into the county general fund rather than an explicitly restricted special fund. Deputy City Manager Ryan Carey warned of lost local capacity to place a future city tax and said, “We are particularly concerned about the implications for local control here in Cerritos.” City Attorney counsel noted that a special tax requires a two‑thirds voter approval threshold while a general sales tax requires only a simple majority, a distinction the county appears to be relying on to keep a lower approval standard.
Mayor Yokoyama asked staff to prepare a letter of opposition to be sent to the Board of Supervisors in advance of its meeting tomorrow. Councilmembers discussed the potential that the county’s measure could consume sales‑tax capacity the city might otherwise use and stressed concern that county general‑fund revenues may not flow back to Cerritos. The council instructed staff to circulate the draft letter for signatures and to copy the city’s state and federal representatives.
The vote followed a public staff briefing and a brief exchange about recusal. The City Attorney advised Mayor Pro Tem Johnson to recuse because she is employed by the county and the proposed measure could present a conflict of interest; Johnson left the dais for the discussion. The motion to submit a letter opposing the measure passed 4–0 with one recusal.
Staff said they have been coordinating with neighboring Gateway Cities and other municipal advocates and will return with language and next steps for the letter. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider placing the measure on the June ballot at its next meeting.
