The Redlands City Council moved a step closer to putting a one cent sales tax increase on the November ballot Tuesday evening.
During the council's first reading of the meausre, the public comments were mostly in opposition to the idea of a sales tax increase. But a presentation of an initial ballot test showed a two-thirds voter approval rating.
A one cent sales tax increase, could provide $10 million a year for police, fire, library and parks which all took funding cuts in the 2020-2021 budget.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic created budget shortfalls, the council was considering a tax a measure to meet public safety needs. Now, with a projected revenue shortfall of $5.6 million for the current fiscal year and $6.3 million in fiscal year 2020-2021, the city says it needs tax revenue in addition to budget cuts to maintain public services.
The council will present more information about potential uses of the tax revenue and continue their discussion of the ballot measure on July 7.