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Santa Ana council directs staff to prepare Measure X ballot materials after poll shows majority support
Summary
City council voted 5–2 to ask staff to develop public information and a draft ballot measure to remove the sunset on a local sales tax (Measure X) after staff presented a True North Research poll indicating about 63–64% support among likely voters; council also discussed what services the tax funds and asked for budget modeling of cuts if revenue disappears.
The Santa Ana City Council voted 5–2 on March 18 to direct staff to prepare public information materials, develop a proposed November 2026 ballot measure, and conduct a tracking survey to consider eliminating the sunset on the local sales tax known as Measure X.
Assistant City Manager Kat Downs presented the results of a scientific survey conducted in December by True North Research. "They completed 623 surveys of likely voters in December," Downs said, noting a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. The initial ballot test showed 64% support and 63% after both pro and con arguments were read, she said. "A general revenue ballot measure requires a simple majority to pass."
Why it matters: Measure X funds a range of city services including public safety, street and park maintenance, youth programs, library renovations and other quality‑of‑life investments. Staff and councilmembers said they wanted residents to understand what services might be affected if the tax were allowed to sunset in 2029.
Councilmembers debated the level of public engagement and whether the council should first model a budget without the Measure X revenue. "We can bring back that very detailed spending plan for you to look at as a menu of items to decrease," Downs said, offering to return with a breakdown of programs tied to the $30 million and a broader $95 million scenario discussed during the meeting.
Councilmember Lopez, who requested the item, said she wanted a single-topic study session so voters could see what would be cut. "If the city is prepared to lose $30,000,000, then what is not going to be included in the budget?" she asked.
Vote and next steps: The motion to prepare materials and conduct a tracking survey passed 5–2, with Councilmember Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa recorded as the nays. Staff said they expect to return in June with proposed ballot language and asked the council to pre‑approve preparation of outreach materials and survey work.
The council did not adopt final ballot language at the meeting; any municipal advocacy rules would apply once a measure is formally placed on the ballot, the city attorney later reminded council members.
