On February 15, 2022, the City Council voted to put Measure SST on the June 7, 2022 general municipal election ballot. This Measure, if approved by the Torrance voters, would raise revenue for general City purposes by authorizing a
0.50%, or 1/2 cent, transactions and use tax (“sales tax”) within Torrance. A 0.50% sales tax rate equates to 50 cents per $100 purchased. The sales tax is paid by purchasers of goods in Torrance that are subject to sales tax. Sales tax is not collected on items such as prescription medications or food bought as groceries.
The total sales tax rate paid in Torrance, which includes the sales tax collected for the State of California and other public agencies and districts is 9.50% now. If the Measure is approved by the voters, the total sales tax rate in Torrance
will be 10.00% and will be in effect until ended by the voters. Under current state law, the sales tax rate may not be increased beyond the rate proposed by Measure SST without a future vote of the people.
The City estimates that Measure SST will generate approximately $18 million per year in new local revenue for use by the City. All revenues raised by Measure SST would remain in the City and would not be shared with the State, County
or any other agency. The City Council’s adopted ballot question states this new revenue would be used to maintain city services such as fire, paramedic, public safety, 9-1-1 response, safe schools, protect local drinking water sources and
coastal waters from pollution, repair streets and potholes, prevent thefts and property crimes, maintain senior services, address homelessness and other general governmental uses. Measure SST would impose a “general tax,” meaning that revenues raised from the sales tax would go into the City’s general fund to pay for any lawful City program, improvement, or service. Since Measure SST proposes a general tax, Article XIIIC of the California Constitution, commonly known as Proposition 218, requires that Measure SST be approved by a majority of voters voting on the measure (50% plus 1).
Accountability over revenue and expenditures from Measure SST will be part of the City’s annual independent audit, the report of which is available to the public. Financial information also will be disclosed in the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other public documents. Measure SST also provides for a Citizens’ Oversight Committee that will receive reports on revenues and expenditures from the tax as well as reviewing proposed spending plans and reporting findings to the public.
A YES vote on Measure SST will authorize the Measure.
A NO vote on Measure SST will not authorize the Measure.
