Palos Verdes Estates council accepts citizen‑led parcel tax petition, moves measure to June 2 ballot

The Palos Verdes Estates City Council on Feb. 24 accepted a certificate of sufficiency for a citizen‑initiated public‑safety parcel tax and voted to place the measure on the June 2, 2026 consolidated municipal ballot.

The initiative, circulated by residents under the elections code, produced 1,589 valid signatures — well above the 87 required, city attorney and election specialist Jim Priest said. The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 3.36 of the municipal code, replace the current Measure E, extend the sunset to June 30, 2037, and set a new structure of $990 per parcel per year plus $0.67 per square foot of building improvements with an annual CPI or 3% adjustment.

"These services are not optional amenities. They define our quality of life," resident and steering‑committee member Christian Campisi said during public comment, urging the council to move the measure to the earliest ballot. Campisi represented a coalition, PVE Residents for a Safe and Secure Future, that gathered signatures and advocated for the tax.

City attorney Priest outlined requirements in the initiative: funds would be eligible for Palos Verdes Estates Police Department law enforcement and for fire and emergency medical services; they would not be available for sheriff services if the city contracts with the county for law enforcement. The measure would require an annual audited accountability report and create an oversight role for the finance advisory committee to review spending and audits.

Supporters at the hearing stressed local response times and the cost of deferred maintenance. "Response times matter, especially when seconds can make all the difference," Norm Eagle said, describing his support for placing the measure on the June ballot.

Several residents urged clearer, itemized spending plans and protections for seniors. "I want to see that agreement before I vote for the tax," said John Williams, who said the city still has about a year before Measure E sunsets on June 30, 2027.

Council discussion emphasized long‑term fiscal challenges: reduced staffing, deferred capital projects and pension obligations. Several councilmembers said the petitioners had provided detailed fiscal modeling and public outreach, and that state elections law limited the council’s room to alter the initiative language; city attorney Priest said the only discretionary decision was which ballot to use (June or November).

Following discussion, a councilmember moved to receive and file the certificate of sufficiency and adopt the three resolutions required to place the initiative on the June 2 ballot. The motion was seconded and passed by voice/roll call with councilmembers recorded as voting aye.

What happens next: city staff will work with the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters to consolidate the measure on the June 2 ballot; the city attorney’s office will prepare the impartial 500‑word ballot analysis and the city will post deadlines and materials for ballot arguments and rebuttals as required by county timelines.

The council’s decision only schedules the initiative for voters; it does not change the ordinance language or guarantee voter approval. The measure will appear on voters’ ballots for final action in June.