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Covina council votes to put local quarter‑cent sales tax on June 2 ballot to keep revenue local
Summary
The Covina City Council unanimously approved resolutions to place a local quarter‑cent sales tax measure on the June 2 ballot to preserve roughly $3 million a year of local sales‑tax capacity, citing uncertainty about a proposed Los Angeles County half‑cent measure and pending state legislation that could affect the tax cap.
The Covina City Council voted unanimously to place a local quarter‑cent supplemental sales tax on the June 2 ballot, a measure staff says would preserve an estimated $3,000,000 in annual local revenue for public safety, street repairs and parks.
City Manager (speaker 1) told the council the county’s proposed half‑cent general sales tax—approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the June ballot—could use remaining sales‑tax capacity under the statewide 2 percent cap unless the Legislature authorizes an exemption. The staff presentation outlined options for the council, including asking Covina voters whether to reserve that quarter‑cent capacity for local use.
The measure as drafted would authorize a city ordinance implementing a quarter‑cent transactions and use tax with funds to remain in Covina until ended by voters. The staff estimate presented to council projected roughly $3,000,000 annually if adopted and noted the council must adopt implementing resolutions by a four‑fifths vote to qualify the item for the June ballot.
Councilmember Walt Allen (speaker 9) described the situation as “disheartening,” saying the choice forces residents to decide whether the county or the city collects new tax revenue. He added that past county measures produced limited direct return to Covina and warned of poor county stewardship.
Councilmember King (speaker 12) said he would “rather keep that money local,” pointing to city projects such as street repairs and park improvements as direct benefits to Covina residents.
Councilmember Cortez (speaker 6) said she shared colleagues’ reluctance to raise taxes but favored allowing voters to decide. City Attorney Bennett (speaker 8) told the council the ordinance includes language allowing the council to temporarily reduce the rate to zero if the county measure fails, giving the city flexibility after a vote.
Councilmember King moved and Councilmember Cortez seconded a single motion to approve resolutions CC 20 26‑16, 17 and 18 and provide the authorizations described in the staff report. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote in favor. King and Cortez volunteered to sign the ballot argument in support of the local measure.
Next steps: the council authorized staff to complete the ballot materials and related actions needed to qualify the local measure for the June 2 ballot. If placed before voters, the city could later adjust the rate as described in the ordinance language.
