Sales Tax Ballot Measure
At a glance
- What: A general transactions and use (sales) tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%) for general municipal purposes on the November 3, 2026 ballot, which would bring Berkeley's aggregate sales tax rate to 10.75%.
- Where it stands: Second reading of Ordinance No. 8,028-N.S. adopted June 30, 2026 on the Consent Calendar (all ayes, Bartlett absent), including a finding that the measure is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
- Next: Voters decide on November 3, 2026. Other measures are in November 2026 Ballot Initiative Measures and Rent Stabilization Ballot Measure.
Detail
- Consent item 17. Contact: Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager. No financial implications listed. The first reading vote was all ayes.
- Supplemental letters on this item came from Geoffrey Lomax, Councilmember Kesarwani, Maureen Burke and D.P. Neyhart.
June 16, 2026 placement on the ballot
- Public hearing item 39, from the City Manager (Buddenhagen). 4 speakers. Motion (O'Keefe/Kesarwani), all ayes, to (1) adopt Resolution No. 72,339-N.S. submitting the one-half of one percent (0.5%) transactions and use tax for general municipal purposes to voters on November 3, 2026 (aggregate rate 10.75%) with the CEQA not-a-project finding, (2) adopt first reading of Ordinance No. 8,028-N.S. (second reading June 30, 2026), and (3) designate Mayor Ishii, Kesarwani and O'Keefe to file ballot arguments.
- Supplemental letters came from Walk Bike Berkeley and several residents (the minutes list senders only, not positions); a separate letter on "tax increase concerns" was filed in the general communications.
May 19, 2026 survey results and direction
- Special meeting item 1, from the City Manager: after the second community survey results, affirm direction to prepare ballot language for a potential 0.5 percent increase in the sales and use tax to address the projected General Fund structural deficit and support essential City services. 15 speakers.
- Motion (Taplin/Tregub), all ayes, affirming this direction together with the bond direction in Infrastructure Bond Ballot Measure.
Sources
- City Council special meeting minutes, May 19, 2026 (Attachment 6): https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/2026-05-19%20Item%2002%20Minutes%20for%20Approval.pdf
- City Council regular meeting minutes, June 30, 2026 (approved minutes batch): https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas
Log
2026-05-19 - City Council (special)
Direction to prepare the 0.5 percent sales tax ballot language affirmed, all ayes, after 15 speakers.
2026-06-30 - City Council (regular)
Second reading adopted on consent.
2026-06-16 - City Council (regular)
Resolution 72,339 placing the measure on the ballot and first reading of Ordinance 8,028 adopted, all ayes, after 4 speakers.