More Tax Increases Could be on the Ballot This Year

Voters in at least two Orange County cities could get asked to raise a host of tax increase measures in the November election as more officials look to reverse widening budget gaps by generating more tax revenue to keep local coffers afloat.

Those aren’t the only type of measures expected on the ballot this year.

Voters throughout OC are also expected to weigh in on a host of measures related to housing, open space, term lengths and city governance in the 2026 November Election.

In Costa Mesa, officials are exploring crafting two separate tax increase measures – one that would raise the city’s 8% hotel tax and another to raise the city’s business license tax that hasn’t increased since 1985.




https://voiceofoc.org/2026/01/oc-cities-election-ballot-proposals/