Increased Sales Tax Considered In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore City Council will consider Tuesday night whether to place a measure on the November ballot that would let city voters decide whether they want to raise the local sales tax by one cent to pay for general municipal services, such as police and fire services, road maintenance, and homelessness solutions.

If city council members vote in favor of putting the measure on the ballot, and residents approve it this fall, it would result in additional revenues to the city’s general fund of about $10 million annually, according to city documents.

The current Sales and Use Tax Rate in Lake Elsinore is 7.75 percent.

Placing the measure on the Lake Elsinore ballot will cost the city $15,000 above the costs the city is incurring to conduct council elections, according to city documents. Mayor Pro Tem Robert "Bob" Magee, and Council Members Natasha Johnson and Steve Manos are up for reelection this year.

If the sales tax measure were approved by voters, an independent Citizens Oversight Committee would be established to oversee the spending and use of these funds, according to the proposal.

The Lake Elsinore City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Members of the public can submit comments and tune in to watch. Get more information here, including the full meeting agenda.