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Mount Shasta council places 1% sales-tax measure on November ballot to shore up police and fire
Summary
The City Council voted to put a 1.0% sales and transaction tax before voters on Nov. 3, 2026, citing revenue shortfalls for police, fire and general government services; council and residents debated electability versus the higher revenue a 1.5% measure would provide.
The Mount Shasta City Council voted June 8 to place a 1.0% sales and transaction tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot aimed at funding police and fire services, wildfire protection and other general governmental needs.
City Manager Todd said council members briefed residents at two town halls and reviewed polling showing a 77% favorable response for a 1% measure under current messaging. He told the council that “all that money stays in the community,” arguing local collection makes the measure locally accountable.
The measure’s supporters said a reliable revenue stream is needed to maintain paid firefighters and police staffing and to replace aging equipment. Todd and staff presented preliminary revenue estimates for the proposed measure: roughly $1.5 million annually at the 1.0% level and larger sums projected for higher rates, but council members noted polling and local demographics could affect passage.
Opponents and some residents cautioned that higher rates could drive shoppers to neighboring cities or out-of-state purchases and urged a smaller rate to preserve electability. Johanna El Torfer, a local resident, also urged care on an unrelated vacancy-tax proposal that is under review and noted litigation in other jurisdictions.
Council members debated electability versus fiscal need for more funds. Several members said a united front is important for passage; others argued the community’s older population might oppose higher rates. After discussion the council agreed to the 1.0% rate and directed staff to finalize ballot language and related resolution edits. The measure as framed includes annual audits and a citizen oversight provision in its draft language.
Next steps: the council amended the consolidation resolution and approved ballot wording edits to place the city measure on the county ballot; staff will finalize the resolution and the city clerk will transmit the measure to the county by the administrative deadline.
