Palos Verdes Estates council unanimously approves opposition letter to proposed LA County half‑cent sales tax

The Palos Verdes Estates City Council voted 5–0 on Feb. 4, 2026, to authorize Mayor Kemp to sign and forward an opposition letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors over language proposing a June 2 special election to impose a half‑cent county sales tax. Council Member Quinn moved to send the letter; Council Member McGowan seconded, and the motion passed on a roll call that included McGowan voting remotely.

City staff told the council that the proposal, introduced by Supervisor Holly Mitchell, is described in its text as intended to replace funds lost by HR 1 but contains no explicit plan for how revenue would be distributed to cities. "It is obvious that residents of our city and visitors of our city will be paying this tax, but there's no distribution plan," a city staff member said, urging the council to oppose the measure.

The staff presentation noted that although state and county rules allow counties to place such measures on the ballot, Palos Verdes Estates does not rely heavily on sales tax revenue and could pay the tax without a guarantee that proceeds would return to the city. The County Contract Cities Association and other local groups were reported to be opposing the proposal; staff recommended the council authorize the mayor to send an opposition letter and that recommendation carried.

Council Member McGowan, participating remotely under Government Code section 54953(c) after recent surgeries, said he "support[s] the measure" of opposing the county language, adding, "I don't think we should be, encouraging them to look forward with this." No members of the public were present to comment.

After the vote, the city recessed to a closed session; upon reconvening the city attorney announced that all five members were present and that no reportable action had been taken in closed session. The council adjourned the special meeting following the closed session report.