Lemon Grove, California, Measure S, Sales Tax (March 2020)

Lemon Grove Measure S
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic Local sales tax
Status d Defeated
Type Initiative	Origin Citizens
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A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Lemon Grove voters in San Diego County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the city to impose a 0.75% sales tax, thereby raising the total sales tax in the city to 8.5%.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the city to impose a 0.75% sales tax, thereby maintaining the total tax rate in the city at 7.75%.

A simple majority was required for the approval of Measure S.

Election results

Lemon Grove Measure S
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		2,756	42.54%
No		3,723	57.46%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

Shall the City of Lemon Grove Add a Three-Quarter (3/4) Cent Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax)?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Lemon Grove City Attorney:

“ Measure S would amend the Lemon Grove Municipal Code (LGMC) to establish a three-quarter (3/4) cent Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax) for the City of Lemon Grove. It was submitted for placement on the ballot after receiving sufficient signatures from Lemon Grove registered voters to require placement on the ballot. If passed, Measure S would amend the LGMC to impose the Sales Tax. The Sales Tax would be a local tax for general purposes to fund, enhance, and maintain City services, with the rate set at three quarters (3/4) of one cent, but would not apply to food purchased as groceries or prescription medications, and it is not a property tax. This is a general tax that allows the revenue to be used for any governmental purpose with all proceeds spent in Lemon Grove and under Lemon Grove control. Funds from the proposed Sales Tax would be deposited in the City's General Fund to be used for general governmental purposes, such as repairing aging infrastructure, maintaining public services for residents, public safety and addressing homelessness. The amount of Sales Tax revenue would depend on the gross receipts of local sales and is anticipated to provide approximately $2,958,000 annually until ended by voters. The Measure would also require that such Sales Tax funds be subject to annual independent audits with public review of the City's budget being widely available. The Measure requires that the City: Hire an independent auditing firm to analyze the impact of the sales tax and furnish a report to the City Council and the public; Direct the City's independent auditors to review the collection and expenditure of sales tax revenues and report to the City Council as part of the annual budget adoption process; Appoint a citizen's oversight board to review implementation of the sales tax. Measure S requires approval of a simple majority of voters. A 'Yes' vote for Measure S will establish a Lemon Grove Sales Tax. A 'no' vote against Measure S will not establish such a Tax. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a successful citizen initiative signature petition.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• Local sales tax on the ballot

• San Diego County measures

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Lemon Grove, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• San Diego County Elections Office website