Orange County commissioners have approved the spending of up to $40,000 in public funds to “educate” the public on the quarter-cent sales tax hike they’d love to have, and which will appear on the November ballot. Today, a county press release announced that their tax hike web site is now live. You’ll find it here.
While some Orange residents may think the sales tax hike will fend off a property tax hike, take note that the county does not say the sales tax hike would prevent a property tax hike. The county says this in its Frequently Asked Questions.
If the sales tax passes does it mean property taxes will not be increased?
The sales tax offers an alternative to property tax but it will be up to the Board of Commissioners to determine the property tax rate during their annual budget discussions. Currently property tax is the primary source of funding for Orange County Government services.
John Locke Foundation analysts question the sales tax hike and detail their concerns in this Regional Brief.
In this interview, Michael Sanera, JLF’s director of research and local government analyst, discusses the issue.
