Quick Take
Capitola’s sales tax increase, Measure Y, has passed with more than two-thirds support after the final batch of ballots were counted Tuesday.
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5:25 p.m. — Capitola’s sales tax increase, Measure Y, has passed with more than two-thirds support after the final batch of ballots were counted Tuesday. The measure is ahead, 3,535 to 1,704, or 67.5% to 32.5%. It needed only a simple majority to pass.
County Clerk Tricia Webber’s office said Tuesday’s update was the last and the results are now official. All totaled countywide,136,505 votes have been counted.
With Measure Y, Capitola aims to raise its sales tax rate from 9% to 9.25%, which would raise an approximately $2.2 million a year for the city government’s general expenses.
Capitola’s sales tax rate was most recently increased in 2016, when Measure F raised it from 8.75% to 9%. That measure is set to expire at the end of 2027. This year’s Measure Y would replace Measure F with a higher rate of 9.25%, and a new expiration date of 2034.
A “yes” vote on Measure Y would authorize the city to repeal the 2016 0.25% hike and replace it with a 0.5% hike, bringing the sales tax to 9.25%. A “no” vote would reject the proposed hike and keep the current rate of 9%.
The measure going before the city’s approximately 7,000 registered voters needs a simple majority to pass. It would expire after 10 years unless extended by voters.
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