Orange County cities are finalizing the November ballot. Here are some of the key items

Orange County cities are close to finalizing what ballot measures will go before voters in the November general election.

It’s never too early to be prepared, so here’s what we know is coming so far.

Santa Ana: Could a sales tax rate be permanent? 

Santa Ana’s 1.5% sales tax increase — called Measure X — is supposed to decrease in 2029 and then completely go away by 2039. Public officials have said the loss of Measure X could mean the city loses millions of dollars in revenue.

Santa Ana voters will decide in November whether to make the Measure X tax permanent.

The tax measure was approved by voters in 2018. Money from the tax has helped the city fund street maintenance, public safety, youth services and homelessness services.

Costa Mesa: A business tax hike 

Costa Mesa voters will be asked in November if business license taxes should be increased for some large businesses making more than $500,000 in annual revenue.

Currently, large businesses have a $200 limit for taxes to operate in the city. For example, big box stores like Home Depot and Target in Costa Mesa only pay $200 a year in business license taxes. The change, if approved, could increase that to as high as $15,000 based on gross income.

Small businesses — which the city defines as those with $500,000 or less in gross income — will not be affected.

Irvine: Ranked-choice voting 

In Irvine, voters will be asked whether the city should switch the local election system to ranked-choice voting in 2028.

The system would allow voters to rank their candidates in order of preference instead of casting a vote for one candidate.

If approved, the change would only take effect if the costs stay below 0.23% of the city’s general fund. If the switch goes above that amount, the ranked-choice voting system could be delayed until a future election.

Orange: Is a city charter coming? 

Orange is currently a general law city bound by state law and mandates. Voters will decide if Orange should become a charter city, joining other municipal governments like Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Huntington Beach.

Charter cities still have to follow state and federal laws, but can establish their own rules on issues such as mayoral authority, term limits and financial management.

Some council members say the move will give the city more local control over planning, contracting and revenue. Opponents worry that the council is moving too fast on the charter measure instead of tackling the city’s financial crisis head-on.

Orange: A sales tax increase proposal

Voters in Orange will decide on a one-cent sales tax increase that, if approved, would last for 13 years.

The city of Orange is looking at increasingly dire budget conditions. In the 2024 election, voters narrowly rejected a 10-year half-cent sales tax measure estimated to generate $20 million in annual revenue.

What’s next? 

Local governments have until Aug. 7 to call a local measure election to be included in November’s General Election. Registrar of Voters Bob Page told LAist that the county is encouraging cities to file much earlier to allow time for public review, arguments and analysis, as well as document processing.