Tulare council sends a 1¢ general transactions and use tax measure to voters to fund public safety, roads and other priorities

The Tulare City Council voted on Tuesday to place an additional 1¢ general transactions and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. City staff projected the measure would raise approximately $16 million annually in unrestricted general‑fund revenue if approved by a majority of voters.

City Clerk materials presented three required documents: (1) a resolution calling and consolidating the election with the statewide ballot, (2) an ordinance amending the municipal code to add the tax if voters approve, and (3) an optional resolution of intent enumerating council priorities for revenue uses. Council discussed but did not fix percentages or binding allocations; instead, members endorsed a high‑level resolution of intent that lists public safety, roads, homelessness, parks, economic development and youth activities as intended priorities.

“Some language that just says the city would use those dollars to support public safety, roads, homelessness, parks and economic development recognizing that investment in youth activities is also, helped to prevent crime and gang activity,” the city manager summarized during the discussion. City attorney advice reminded council not to create a special‑tax allocation that would raise the voter threshold for approval.

Council approved the election consolidation, the measure language and introduced the implementing ordinance; all actions passed on unanimous votes. Councilmembers stressed accountability, oversight and transparency in future spending decisions and asked staff to craft the resolution language in broad terms that preserve the measure as a general tax.