Measure P is the "Norwalk Essential Services and Public Safety Measure." If approved by a majority of Norwalk voters, it would adopt the City of Norwalk Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance of 2019 (the "Sales Tax Ordinance"). Measure P would increase the City's existing sales tax rate by 0.75%, or three quarters of one cent, on every dollar of taxable sales of goods in the City, and on the taxable storage, use or consumption in the City of goods purchased.
Measure P would be a general tax. This means that revenues from this tax will be used to pay for general municipal City services, operations, and programs such as but not limited to police services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, gang-prevention programs, maintenance and repair of city streets and public areas, park programs, homelessness programs, youth and senior services, and emergency services like traffic and pedestrian safety programs.
The City estimates that this Measure will raise approximately $7 million per year in new local revenue for use in the City. California law gives cities the authority to adopt local measures like this one, in the amount proposed, with the approval of a majority of voters. Under current state law, the local tax rate may not be increased beyond the rate proposed in the Sales Tax Ordinance and will be in effect until ended by the voters.
The funds from the Sales Tax Ordinance will be part of the City's annual independent audit, the report of which is available to the public. Financial information also is disclosed in the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and other public documents. The total sales tax rate currently paid in Norwalk, which includes the sales tax collected for the State of California, Los Angeles County, and other public agencies is 9.5%. If Measure P is approved by a majority of voters, the total sales tax rate in the City would be 10.25%. All revenues raised by the tax would belong to the City and would not be shared with the State or any other governmental entity.
Article XIIIC of the California Constitution, commonly known as Proposition 218, requires that the proposed general tax be approved by a majority of the voters voting on the Measure.
On November 5, 2019, the Norwalk City Council unanimously approved the Sales Tax Ordinance and authorized its placement on the ballot for the voters of Norwalk to consider.
A "yes" vote on Measure P is to adopt the Sales Tax Ordinance and to approve the 0.75% increase.
A "no" vote on Measure P is to not adopt the Sales Tax increase.
