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Bell Gardens council declares fiscal emergency, places 0.25% sales-tax measure on June ballot
Summary
The Bell Gardens City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution declaring a fiscal emergency and to introduce an ordinance placing a 0.25% local transactions and use tax on the June 2, 2026 special-election ballot; staff estimates roughly $1.2 million in annual local revenue if approved. The council also designated two members to draft the pro-argument for the ballot pamphlet.
The Bell Gardens City Council voted unanimously Monday to declare a fiscal emergency and send a proposed 0.25% transactions and use tax to voters on the June 2, 2026 special election ballot.
Finance Director Manuel Curo told the council the measure would raise about $1.2 million a year for the city and would take effect Oct. 1, 2026 if approved. The proposal was framed as a shortfall response: staff cited a projected card‑room revenue gap of roughly $2 million for fiscal year 2025–26 and rising costs for public safety, equipment and community programs.
The measure package includes a resolution calling the election and an ordinance introduced for first reading. Curo said 100% of revenues from the local measure would remain in Bell Gardens and that a simple majority of voters would be needed for passage.
Council members asked how the proposed city increase would interact with a separate county sales-tax effort. Consultant Rich Padilla explained multiple scenarios: if Los Angeles County obtains so‑called "special legislation," the county’s additional rate can be applied without counting toward the local 2% cap and the city would retain access to the remaining capacity; if the county’s measure proceeds without that exemption, the county could claim the remaining available percentage and the city could be left competing for the same revenue slice. Padilla said the question of county action is the central uncertainty for how the local measure would play out.
Councilmember Marco Barca moved and Councilmember Dr. Deon Sanchez seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑20 and introduce Ordinance No. 964. The city clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor.
Council gave staff direction on the election-administration details and the process for the ballot argument: the council has priority to submit a 500‑word argument in support of the measure, and Councilmember Chavez and Councilmember Dr. Deon Sanchez were designated to draft the pro‑argument for review by the full council. Staff said the county letter‑designation form (for ballot-letter order) is due March 11 and emphasized that letter assignment is first‑come, first‑served.
Next steps: staff will request consolidation with the county election, prepare an impartial analysis by the city attorney, finalize voting materials for the public, and return to council with the drafted argument for formal approval prior to the county deadlines.
