FOLSOM, Calif. — Folsom residents will decide in this election if the city’s sales tax will increase starting next year.
If voters pass Measure G, Folsom’s sales tax will increase from 7.75% to 8.75% starting April 1, 2025. The measure was placed on the ballot after a citizen-led campaign collected enough signatures for the effort to qualify, ABC10 previously reported.
An estimated 40% of city sales tax revenue is generated by non-Folsom residents, according to city staff. If the tax doesn’t pass, staff predicted a $1.1 million funding gap by 2025, a $3.5 million gap by 2027 and a $4.6 million gap by 2029. The citizens’ group estimates the tax would raise $29 million annually. Two taxpayer associations oppose the tax, and their positions can be found HERE.
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In 2018, a 0.5% general sales tax measure was on the ballot, but it did not pass. In 2022, another measure was presented by staff to city council, but council declined to place it on the ballot.
The 2024 measure would give money to various departments, including police, fire, parks and recreation, traffic, economic development and capital improvement projects. A percentage breakdown can be found HERE.
All funds generated by the tax would remain in Folsom, and it could not be used to enhance pensions or retirement benefits for city employees.
The citizens’ measure proposes a nine-member oversight committee including representatives from: the city finance department, police, fire, parks and recreation, trails, business community and focused on streets and environmental stormwater. The final two spots would be filled by at-large members who must be Folsom residents.
