City of Brawley

Brawley, CA—On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the Brawley City Council adopted a resolution to place a 1% Transactions and Use Tax measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Brawley residents will be able to vote on the Brawley Public Safety, Streets, Essential Services Measure: a citywide 1% transactions and use tax (commonly known as a "sales tax").

“Providing community services and programs is becoming increasingly difficult due to the financial challenges of flat or decreasing tax revenues and the increasing cost of delivering those essential services,” said Mayor Ramon Castro. “In the face of these challenges, we’re committed to maintaining essential services that protect the local quality of life in Brawley. If adopted by voters, this measure will provide critical local funding to sustain our efforts to invest in Brawley’s quality of life”

If a majority of voters approve the measure, it is estimated to generate $3.8 million each year to help Brawley provide general City services, including maintaining public safety such as fire and police services, addressing homelessness and repairing and maintaining local streets and sewers. The measure is a general tax, meaning it requires a simple majority voter approval (“50 percent plus one”) to pass. 

California law effectively "caps" the City’s sales tax at a maximum rate of 9.25%. The current sales tax rate of 7.75% leaves 1.5% remaining available to the City of Brawley to increase its sales tax revenue from sales generated within the City’s boundaries. The measure proposes a 1% increase to the existing sales tax. With a 1% sales tax, Brawley’s sales tax would increase from 7.75% to 8.75% with 2% of the 8.75% going entirely to Brawley and 6.75% going to the County and State.

“To create a balanced budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, the City's Finance team had to find creative, strategic and fiscally sustainable approaches to reduce expenditures,” continued Castro. “If the measure is approved, the revenues collected would help the City maintain and improve critical general services such as public safety, addressing homelessness, providing affordable housing opportunities, improve street maintenance, and address drugs and gang concerns.” 

Sales tax only applies to certain goods and services, such as gasoline, restaurants, bars and retail stores, such as clothing stores. The tax does not apply to groceries, prescription medicine or the services of a doctor, dentist or attorney. For example, if you go to dinner and spend $100, the tax would add $1 to your bill. Buying a $3 coffee adds 3 cents. 

To learn more about the Brawley Public Safety, Streets, Essential Services Measure, contact  Tyler Salcido at TSalcido@Brawley-CA.Gov