Voter Guide: Understand the local measures on your California general election ballot

Voters across Santa Barbara county will consider eight local ballot measures this election day, voting on proposals to strengthen access to education, improve services in Isla Vista and authorize some tax increases.

The measures are unique to Santa Barbara County ballots, separate from the 14 statewide initiatives. Local measures only apply to voters in the areas they address. For example, only voters registered in Santa Maria will vote on Measure C, a Santa Maria measure.

Santa Maria: Measure C

Measure C would increase the local sales tax rate in Santa Maria from 8.75% to 9.25%. The city estimates the increase would produce $13 million annually, if approved.

The city hopes to distribute the funds toward public works. This includes repairs to streets and sidewalks and maintaining public parks and community facilities.

These funds will remain in Santa Maria, not to be used by the rest of the county or state.

Carpinteria: Measure I

Measure I would increase Carpinteria’s sales tax by one quarter percentage point per dollar spent. The city estimates it could raise $700,000 for city services like emergency preparedness, public safety and parks.

Each taxable purchase would carry an additional quarter-cent per dollar in sales tax. This would continue until voters choose to end it.

Guadalupe: Measures G and J

Measure G would impose a tax on cannabis businesses’ gross incomes. Cannabis retail businesses would be taxed a maximum rate of 8%, and other Cannabis related businesses would be taxed 4%. 

The city of Guadalupe estimates the tax would bring in an annual revenue of $78,000 for public services.

Measure J would increase the city of Guadalupe’s tax on short-term lodging from 6% to 12%, extending it to RV parks and campgrounds. It would apply to guests renting short-term lodging for 30 days or less. 

The city estimates the measure would bring in up to $20,000.

Isla Vista Community Services District: Measures E and F

Measure E would create a user tax of 7% on natural gas utilities, and 6% on trash, sewer, water and electricity utilities in Isla Vista.

The measure would raise $1.2 million, funding housing and public works. If passed, utility bills would carry the additional tax alongside the district’s existing utility taxes.

Measure F would limit the district’s spending of tax proceeds, establishing a $3.5 million per year spending limit. It is flexible, to be adjusted each year by the district board for inflation and population changes.

Education: Measures D and H

Measure D authorizes an $80 million bond for new resources and renovations to Santa Ynez Valley’s public high school. The funds would upgrade classrooms to be able to teach technical trades like mechanics and agriculture. It would also facilitate general repairs to the school’s infrastructure.

It also helps the school qualify for up to $40 million in state matching funds.

The bond would be repaid in property taxes, costing property owners around $22 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Measure H would fund affordable higher education by authorizing $290 million in bonds for the Allan Hancock Community College District.

Property taxes would repay the fund, with property owners taxes $19 annually per $100,000 of assessed value.

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