November 2026 General Election

On November 3, 2026, Tulare residents will have the opportunity to vote on the City of Tulare Services Measure, a proposed 1-cent increase to sales tax. It would help fund essential City services and community initiatives. The City Council voted on June 2 to place the measure on the upcoming November ballot. To ensure accountability, all funds from this measure must remain local and are subject to independent financial audits and public spending reports.

Language That Will Appear on the Ballot

City of Tulare Services Measure: Shall the measure funding City of Tulare general services, such as maintaining 911 emergency/fire/paramedic/police response; preventing crime and gang activity; recruiting/retaining police, firefighters, paramedics; keeping public areas/parks clean/safe; repairing roads/potholes; addressing homelessness; protecting local drinking water sources; retaining/attracting local businesses, by increasing the existing sales tax by 1¢, providing approximately $16,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring independent audits, public spending disclosure, all funds used locally, be adopted? 

Full Text of Ballot Measure - City of Tulare Services Measure

About the City of Tulare Services Measure

The City of Tulare Services Measure is a general sales tax that could secure approximately $16 million annually for the City of Tulare. Currently, Tulare’s sales tax rate is 8.25%, which is among the lowest of surrounding incorporated cities in Tulare County. The proposed 1-cent sales tax would bring the local rate to 9.25%, remaining competitive and matching the rate in nearby cities.

If approved, this locally controlled funding could be used to support City services and community priorities. Initiatives include maintaining 911 emergency, fire, paramedic and police response, alongside efforts to protect local youth from gangs and crime while helping to prevent thefts and property crimes. Additionally, the revenue could address the local homelessness crisis, keep public areas and community parks clean and safe, and repair local roads and potholes. The measure could safeguard local drinking water sources to prepare for future droughts, while working to retain and attract local businesses.

More Information on the City of Tulare Services Measure

The City of Tulare has implemented cost-saving measures, including delaying capital projects and deferring facility maintenance. Despite these efforts, the City is projected to face a structural deficit in the next five years.

Sales tax revenue, the City’s primary source of income, is trending down and is projected to decrease by 3.5% in Fiscal Year 2026 to $22.3 million, from $23.1 million in Fiscal Year 2025 (unaudited actuals). Simultaneously, costs are rising due to inflation, pensions, and the local homelessness crisis. Without additional, locally controlled revenue, the City may need to reduce essential services, possibly delay road maintenance, potentially reduce resources for youth and crime prevention, and risk longer emergency response times.

Estimated Cost to Residents

The City of Tulare remains committed to providing residents with clear and transparent data regarding the fiscal impact of the City of Tulare Services Measure. Based on Fiscal Year 2026 projections, the difference between the current sales tax impact and the proposed 1-cent increase is as follows:

The City of Tulare Services Measure is projected to generate approximately $16 million in annual revenue for the City of Tulare. For the average Tulare household, the proposed 1-cent increase would add approximately $1.70 per day to the cost.

What is Not Taxed
It is important to note that sales tax does not apply to essential items such as groceries, prescription medications, or rent. This means visitors will also pay sales tax when shopping and dining in Tulare, helping distribute the measure's cost across everyone who uses local businesses.

A Local Investment
Unlike current taxes that may be redirected to the State or County, 100% of the funds generated by the City of Tulare Services Measure are legally required to stay in Tulare. 

Currently, for every taxable dollar spent in Tulare, you are taxed 8.25¢. Of that 8.25¢, the State receives 6¢, the County receives 0.25¢, Tulare County Association of Governments receives 0.50¢, leaving 1.5¢ to the City of Tulare. 

If the sales tax rate increases to 9.25%, you would be taxed 9.25¢ on every taxable dollar spent in Tulare. Of that 9.25¢, the State, County, and Tulare County Association of Governments would still receive 6¢, 0.25¢, and 0.50¢, respectively, leaving 2.5¢ to the City of Tulare. For example, on a $20 purchase, this measure would add 20¢.

City of Tulare Sales Tax Measure Presentation