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Santa Ana council directs staff to prepare public materials for Measure X after survey shows majority support
Summary
Staff told council that scientific polling showed roughly 63–64% support for removing the local tax sunset after arguments; council voted to direct staff to prepare informational materials and modeling of a budget without the measure, with a 5–2 tally on the motion to advance preparation.
City staff presented survey findings and recommended the council authorize preparation of a public-information package for a potential ballot item known in materials as Measure X.
An assistant to the city manager and a consultant from True North Research reported that the poll completed 623 interviews (phone, text and web), with a margin of error of about ±3.9 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The consultant summarized results: initial and post-argument measures showed roughly 63–64% support for removing the sunset provision on the local tax after respondents heard information for and against the measure. The consultant said no ballot language was finalized; staff emphasized that the council’s action tonight would only authorize informational preparation and modeling work, not placement of the measure on a ballot.
Assistant to the City Manager summarized the staff recommendation: "Nuestra recomendación esta noche es avanzar con preparación solamente y material de información pública de medida potencial y una encuesta de seguimiento." Councilmembers debated timing and requested a budget exercise showing how the city’s fiscal plan would look without the Measure X revenue. Multiple councilmembers supported a focused outreach and modeling exercise to present alternatives to the public before any final placement on a ballot.
On a motion to direct staff to prepare materials and a public-information package and to return with budget modeling, the council voted to advance preparation; later roll-call on the related motion was recorded as 5–2 in favor when the council approved moving forward with preparation and community outreach. Several councilmembers asked staff to return with a detailed menu of program reductions that could replace the approximately $30 million baseline reduction used in scenario modeling.
What’s next: Staff will prepare informational materials, a budget modeling exercise without Measure X revenues, and additional polling or public outreach as requested by council. No ballot placement or formal measure language was approved at this meeting.
