Council moves to add 1% local sales tax to June ballot; approves $5.5M purchase for downtown parcel

The City Council voted to place a 1% supplemental general transactions and use tax on the June 2, 2026 ballot, invoking an ordinance and two resolutions to request the county consolidate the measure and to authorize staff to prepare impartial analysis and argument priorities.

City staff framed the measure as a way to preserve local control of revenue at a time when Los Angeles County is pursuing its own countywide sales‑tax measure. “This staff action tonight is really to allow the residents of Bell to make decisions on local control and to keep revenue in their city,” the city manager said. Councilmembers debated timing and fiscal necessity, with one member saying she opposed the timing but acknowledging that failure to act could allow county measures to redirect revenue away from Bell.

On a separate but related land‑use item, council approved a negotiated purchase and sale agreement to acquire private properties at 6411, 6425 and 6429 Woodworth Avenue (the Lomax parcels) for $5.5 million plus closing costs to advance the downtown square project. Staff said the lack of the Lomax parcel hindered a contiguous downtown plan; the purchase will be paid from general‑fund resources and staff flagged the impact on the general fund.

The Lomax acquisition vote recorded one council member voting no and the remainder voting yes. Staff will return administratively with closing documents and escrow instructions. Council also authorized the first reading of an ordinance that would implement the 1% local tax if approved by voters in June and directed the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and priority of arguments for the ballot measure.

Next steps: county consolidation of the ballot measure, city attorney impartial analysis and any follow‑up resolutions; staff to finalize escrow and closing steps for the Lomax purchase and return to council for any required follow‑ups.