Temple City council votes to place 3/4-cent sales tax measure on March ballot to fund roads, public safety and city services

The Temple City City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to place a proposed 0.75% general transactions and use sales tax measure on the March 3, 2026 municipal ballot, directing staff to set a Dec. 2 public hearing and to return with a plan for a June consolidated election option if the March election is canceled.

City Manager Brian told the council the locally controlled measure — titled the Temple City public safety, roads and city services measure — is estimated to generate about $2.5 million annually if voters approve it. "If approved by the voters, it would bring us approximately $2.5 million annually," Brian said, describing the figure as a conservative projection informed by the city's sales-tax consultant.

The measure is aimed chiefly at pavement preservation and public safety. Staff reported the city maintains about 71 miles of streets and currently has an average pavement condition rated at a 'C.' Brian said the city needs an estimated $20–35 million to raise the systemwide condition to a 'B' grade, with roughly $12–15 million of that estimated for residential streets. "That on an annualized basis going forward, that's a number we're comfortable with presenting to you," Brian said of the revenue estimate.

Council members framed the vote as a fiscal and operational decision. Council member Chen moved to adopt the resolutions and introduce the implementing ordinance; the motion passed on a 5–0 roll-call vote with Council member Chavez, Council member Chen, Council member Yu, Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Sternquist all voting yes. After the vote the council directed staff to return at the Dec. 2 meeting with analysis and a timeline for placing the measure on the June consolidated primary election if the March municipal election is canceled for lack of candidates.

Council members pressed staff on timing, legal requirements and alternatives. Staff explained that a general tax placed on a regularly scheduled municipal election requires a simple majority (50% plus one) to pass and that, if approved, it typically takes roughly 110–130 days for the state to begin collecting the tax. The city attorney and staff also noted that moving the question to a nonregular election date would require specific findings and added legal review.

Staff said outreach and polling over recent months included public meetings and a professional survey; the scientific poll cited by staff showed about 64% support for a sales-tax measure after voters heard arguments for and against. Brian emphasized that the council would set spending priorities: "We could come to you and say here are our one and two priorities of how we want to spend this money going forward," he said, adding the council could prioritize repaving residential streets on a 7–10 year cycle.

The council approved three related resolutions and introduced the implementing ordinance by title only to meet the December filing deadline for the March 3, 2026 ballot. The measure language, argument procedures and auditing requirements will be developed consistent with statutory limits for ballot arguments and impartial analyses. The council also formed an ad hoc group to assist with preparations and outreach.

Next steps: staff will present a Dec. 2 staff report that includes the public hearing for the building-code item and additional detail on the June-consolidation option, spending-priority recommendations and the mechanics for ballot arguments and impartial analysis.