Pacific Grove Unified board orders $85-per-parcel, five‑year tax for Nov. ballot, drops senior exemption

President McNary announced that the board would consider a resolution to place a parcel tax on the November 2026 ballot and opened discussion on the measure. Assistant Superintendent Jorn and consultant Dale Scott reviewed the proposal’s purpose — attracting and retaining educators, funding before‑ and after‑school programs and enriching district services — and described a proposed $85 annual parcel tax for five years.

Clerk Shamas moved to approve Resolution 1200 with two explicit changes: deletion of the sentence in section 6 providing a senior‑owner exemption and removal of the citizens’ oversight‑committee language in section 7.b. Trustee Wax seconded the motion. Dale Scott told trustees that limiting the measure’s term is advisable for voter support, saying, “I would strongly recommend putting a, restriction on the number of years.”

The board approved the motion unanimously, 4–0. Clerk Shamas, Trustee Wax, Trustee Hazen and President McNary voted in favor. The filing deadline for ballot language is Aug. 7, 2026; if the board proceeds, exhibit A will include the full text and exhibit B will contain the 75‑word ballot summary required by state law.

Trustees debated the value of an oversight committee and the senior exemption. Trustee Wax said she favored removing the senior exemption so the tax would “apply universally,” while Trustee Hazen expressed concern about adding another committee and noted recent county election results unfavorable to new taxes. Scott advised that higher turnout in a gubernatorial election helps tax measures’ prospects.

Next steps: staff will work with Dale Scott & Company to finalize ballot language and return any required administrative materials to the board ahead of the Aug. 7 filing deadline. The resolution as approved will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot if county election officials accept the district’s order of election.