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Hermosa Beach council OKs placing 0.5¢ sales-tax measure on November ballot
Summary
After weeks of budget briefings and public debate, the Hermosa Beach City Council adopted a resolution to place a 0.5¢ local transactions-and-use tax on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to address projected structural deficits and growing contract costs for county services.
The Hermosa Beach City Council voted to place a proposed 0.5¢ local transactions-and-use tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot, following an extended staff presentation and public comment about budget pressures and rising contract costs. Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker told the council the measure is projected to generate approximately $2 million annually and is intended to sustain public safety, maintain parks and streets, and support long-term fiscal stability.
Supporters—including several council members and city staff—told the council the city faces near-term structural deficits driven by county contract increases for services such as lifeguards, beach maintenance and fire protection, and large capital needs such as the city yard and pier. Walker said staff’s budget modeling forecasts a growing deficit over the next four to five years without a new locally controlled revenue stream, and outlined options for council oversight and reporting should the measure pass. "This is revenue that would remain locally controlled in the general fund," Walker said during the presentation.
Opponents and skeptical residents urged the council to prioritize additional cost reductions, alternative revenue sources such as targeted hotel or transient occupancy taxes, and stronger citizen oversight. "Trust will come when we are given the full information, when we're able to see measurable results, and when accountability is shown," one resident said during public comment. Several speakers pressed for a citizen oversight committee, a fixed sunset, or clearer language about how the funds would be used.
Councilmembers debated both the measure's design and what a successful implementation would require of future councils. After deliberation, the council adopted the resolution placing the measure on the ballot and authorized staff to file required ballot materials and accept arguments. The transcript records the final motion as passing; staff will file the formal ballot language and accept pro/con arguments ahead of the county deadline for submittals.
