At its regular meeting on July 16, 2024, Pleasanton’s City Council approved a resolution to place a half-cent sales tax rate increase on the November 2024 ballot. This measure aims to secure funding to minimize cuts to City programs and services such as public safety, parks and street maintenance, and community programming.
A recent financial forecast model estimates an average budget deficit of $13 million annually over the next eight years. In response, staff have been working to proactively address the projected budget deficit with a combination of reduced costs and increased revenue. The City is working to protect the programs and services the community values the most but is prepared to cut costs to balance the budget if needed. However, those cuts will impact the quality of life for all residents.
The ballot measure proposes a general-purpose tax that requires a majority vote for adoption. If approved by voters, it would enact an additional half-cent sales tax rate on retail sales within the city of Pleasanton. This tax will add 50 cents to the purchase of $100 of taxable goods and is estimated to bring in an additional $10 million per year to provide funding to maintain essential city services and programs. Even if voters approve a sales tax increase, the City will need to make additional cuts and is continuing to find ways to do that now.
Additional information about the City’s budget deficit and sales tax ballot measure can be found on the Protecting Pleasanton’s Quality of Life and Elections & Measures webpages.