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Cudahy council reviews ballot language to extend 0.75% transactions tax ahead of November election
Summary
Deputy City Attorney Sam Holmberg told the Cudahy City Council the tax generates about $1.3 million annually and will sunset March 31, 2029 unless voters extend it; councilors asked staff to refine wording to make clear it is not a new tax and to pursue outreach before the county deadline of Aug. 7, 2026.
The Cudahy City Council on Monday reviewed draft language to indefinitely reauthorize the city’s 0.75% transactions and use tax and asked staff to refine the text and pursue community outreach before an August deadline. Deputy City Attorney Sam Holmberg said the tax, approved by voters in 2018, produces about $1.3 million a year for the city and is scheduled to sunset on March 31, 2029 unless voters act.
Holmberg said the council was not voting on placing the measure on the ballot Monday but was being asked to advise on the wording and outreach plan. He told the council the county limits ballot summaries to 75 words and requires final language by Aug. 7, 2026, for the November 2026 general election.
Council members pressed for wording that emphasizes continuation rather than a new tax. “It sounds almost like a new tax,” one council member said, urging language such as “extend” or “continue” instead of “protect” or “raise,” which could alarm voters. Vice Mayor Lomeli and others said they preferred phrasing that communicates the measure will maintain current funding levels rather than increase taxes.
Holmberg said staff can “massage” the language to incorporate the council’s direction but warned that additions are constrained by the 75‑word limit. Council members directed staff to obtain community input and return with revised language and an outreach plan at a future meeting so the city can meet the county submission deadline.
Next steps: staff will revise the ballot summary to reflect council guidance, develop outreach and community‑input plans, and return to the council so the city can meet the Aug. 7 county filing deadline.
