Canyon Lake Voters Weigh 'Measure E' Costs, Safety Benefits On Nov. 3

CANYON LAKE, CA —Voters in Canyon Lake on Tuesday will decide whether to enact a 1% sales tax that would generate revenue expressly for the purpose of supporting public safety services in the gated municipality.

"Measure `E' would create a separate Canyon Lake Public Safety Fund," according to a statement posted in election documents. "All revenues from the new tax would be deposited into the Public Safety Fund and could not be commingled with the city's General Fund."

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The tax would equal a 1 cent payment for each dollar spent on goods and services purchased throughout the community. Rents, medical and dental services and "unprocessed groceries" would be exempt from the transactions and use tax, which was placed on the ballot by a citizen initiative drive, meaning only a simply majority is required for passage.

Canyon Lake has divested from prior contracts with Riverside County for public safety services.

In 2022, the city formally ended its contract with the county -- and therefore Cal Fire -- in connection with all fire protection services, establishing a stand-alone fire department. The effort followed litigation after the Canyon Lake City Council refused to authorize payment on what the county contended were millions of dollars in back payments owed for the availability of fire services.

City attorneys argued the remittances were unjustified and unaffordable.

The matter was ultimately resolved, and Cal Fire now continues to provide mutual aid support to the city, while Canyon Lake Fire Department personnel sometimes respond to assist the county.

In August, the city also formally established a stand-alone police department, ending its long-standing contract with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services.

Measure E would generate an estimated $1.14 million annually, strictly to cover public safety-related needs.

"Voting yes on Measure `E' pays our firefighters and police officers," resident Damon Smith said in statement of support included in election literature. "It helps us find and retain the best talent. Every cent of it. What we should also understand is that Measure `E' is bigger than just fire and police. It's about the sustainability of our city."

There was no statement in opposition listed.