Tulare staff outline proposed 1¢ general sales tax that would raise an estimated $16 million a year

Melissa, a staff member, told the Board the city council voted in June to place a 1¢ general sales tax measure on the November ballot and walked members through the ballot language and proposed uses. She said the tax is a general measure — meaning the city could use funds for any government general purpose — and estimated, "The 1¢ would generate about $16,000,000 a year."

Thomas, also a staff member, reviewed the city's fiscal picture and warned that the general fund faces structural pressures: sales tax receipts are vulnerable to online sales trends and retail leakage to neighboring Visalia. He said public safety consumes about 55% of the general fund and cited deferred maintenance and a five‑year CIP that shows "over a $250,000,000 in projects." Both presenters said polling showed majority support for a general sales tax after education and that priorities identified by respondents included maintaining 911 dispatch and protecting local drinking water.

The presentation included specific project examples staff said were funded by a mix of ARPA, federal earmarks, developer impact fees and general fund balances, including Zumwalt Park rehabilitation and a recently opened homeless shelter. Melissa and Thomas also discussed potential uses of the measure for road reconstruction, fire and police staffing and water projects and invited board questions following the presentation.