Measure I - March 5, 2024 Election

During the March 2024 election, Bell residents will be able to vote on Measure I: a citywide three-quarters-cent (0.75%) sales tax. If a majority of voters approve Measure I, it would generate approximately $1.5 million each year (until ended by voters) to help Bell address important community needs. If voters do not pass Measure I, the City would need to consider making cuts to community programs and services.

Before you vote in the March 5, 2024 election, please learn more about Measure I on this webpage.

About Measure I

On November 14, 2023, the Bell City Council adopted a resolution(PDF, 216KB) calling for the placement of a 0.75%, or three-quarters-cent, Transactions and Use Tax (Sales Tax) on the March 5, 2024 ballot.

Measure I is a "general tax," not a "special tax." The revenues collected could be used to help the City maintain and improve important general services such as public safety, addressing homelessness, providing affordable housing opportunities, graffiti removal, transit services, street maintenance and gang prevention programs.

If a majority of voters approve Measure I, revenues will go to the City’s General Fund to fund City services and programs for its residents instead of other taxing jurisdictions, such as the County of Los Angeles.

The transactions and use general tax proposed by Measure I would take effect only if it receives a majority "YES" vote in the March 5, 2024 election. If approved, Measure I would begin on October 1, 2024.

City Finances

Per the FY 23-24 Adopted Budget(PDF, 30MB) document, sales tax is Bell's second-largest General Fund revenue source: approximately 21% of total General Fund revenue.

Providing community services and programs is becoming increasingly difficult due to the financial challenges that the City faces. These challenges include flat or decreasing tax revenues and the increasing cost of delivering those essential services.

The State of California has taken away significant revenues and added unfunded mandates. This has led to approximately $5 million in deferred maintenance to Bell's Public facilities and Community parks.

  • In order to create a balanced budget for FY 23-24, the City's Finance team had to find creative, strategic and fiscally sustainable approaches to reduce expenditures. These efforts included:
  • Restructuring the Finance Department and Community Services Departments.
  • Reducing the levels of available programs and services for the community, especially Parks & Recreation activities.
  • Increasing recreation fees for residents and non-residents.
  • Eliminating vacant part-time positions and a hiring freeze on non-essential positions.

The City has over $255 million in unfunded Public Works and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, including:

  • Approximately $137 million in bridge rehabilitation and replacements, such as replacing the Florence Avenue Bridge and Gage Avenue Bridge
  • Approximately $6.5 million in sewer line repairs
  • Approximately $8.8 million for street improvement projects, including concrete repair
  • Over $100 million in other high-priority projects

How Sales Tax Works

California law effectively "caps" the City’s sales tax at a maximum rate of 10.25%. The current sales tax rate of 9.50% leaves only 0.75% remaining available to the City of Bell to increase its sales tax revenue from sales generated within the City’s boundaries.

If a majority of voters approve Measure I, the additional 0.75% sales tax would bring the sales tax rate in the city to 10.25%. The City of Bell would then receive 1.75% out of that 10.25%. The rest goes to L.A. County and the State. A 0.75% sales tax increase would generate approximately $1.5 million per year into the City’s General Fund.

If Measure I passes, the three-quarters-cent (0.75%) sales tax would only apply to certain purchases within Bell, such as those at restaurants, bars, gas stations, and retail stores like clothing stores. Sales tax does not apply to many groceries or the services of a doctor, dentist or attorney. Read this resource from The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)(PDF, 519KB) for full details about sales tax exemptions and exclusions.

Community Needs

If a majority of voters approve Measure I, it would generate approximately $1.5 million each year (until ended by voters) to help Bell address important community needs, such as:

  • Maintaining public safety, such as neighborhood police patrols
  • Continuing Parks & Recreation programs and activities, such as youth sports
  • Providing low and moderate income housing
  • Removing graffiti throughout the city
  • Offering transit services to senior, students and differently abled residents
  • Repairing and maintaining local streets and sewers
  • Investing in gang prevention programs and afterschool programs

To maintain fiscal prudence and transparency, Measure I has been crafted with strict accountability requirements, including public input on spending and reports to the community.

For more information about the March 5, 2024 election:

Visit the City's Election webpage or contact City Clerk/Election Official Angela Bustamante at (323) 588-6211, Ext. 2615 or ABustamante@CityofBell.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a transactions and use (sales) tax?

If Measure I passes, the 0.75% sales tax would only apply to certain purchases within Bell, such as those at restaurants, bars, gas stations, and retail stores like clothing stores. For example: on a restaurant bill of $20, Measure I would add 15 cents. Sales tax does not apply to many groceries or the services of a doctor, dentist or attorney. Read this resource from The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)(PDF, 519KB) for full details about sales tax exemptions and exclusions.

What is Bell's current sales tax rate?

California law effectively "caps" the City’s sales tax at a maximum rate of 10.25%. The current sales tax rate of 9.50% leaves only 0.75% remaining available to the City of Bell to increase its sales tax revenue from sales generated within the City’s boundaries.

How would Measure I change Bell's sales tax rate?

If a majority of voters approve Measure I, the additional 0.75% sales tax would bring the total sales tax rate in the city to 10.25%. The City of Bell would then receive 1.75% out of that 10.25%. The rest goes to L.A. County and the State.

How will Measure I appear on the March 2024 ballot?

"Shall the measure, entitled City of Bell Transactions and Use Tax Measure, establishing a three-quarter cent per dollar (0.75%) general sales tax, annually providing an estimated $1.5 million in revenue, until ended by voters, with funds being deposited into the City of Bell General Fund for Public Safety (Police and Fire); Youth and Seniors Recreation Programs and Services; and for general government use, be adopted?"

Is Measure I a general tax or a special tax?

Measure I is a general tax, meaning it requires a simple majority voter approval ("50 percent plus one") to pass. The transactions and use general tax proposed by Measure I would take effect only if it receives a majority "YES" vote in the March 5, 2024 election.

How could the City use revenue from Measure I?

  1. If a majority of voters approve Measure I, revenues will go to the City’s General Fund to fund general City services and programs for its residents.
  2. If a majority of voters approve Measure I, every penny of revenue from Measure I would be spent for Bell municipal purposes.
  3. To maintain fiscal prudence and transparency, Measure I has been crafted with strict accountability requirements, such as annual audits.
  4. If a majority of voters approve Measure I, it could generate approximately $1.5 million each year (until ended by voters) to help Bell provide general City services, such as:
    1. Maintaining public safety, such as neighborhood police patrols
    2. Addressing homelessness
    3. Continuing Parks & Recreation programs and activities, such as youth sports
    4. Providing low and moderate income housing
    5. Removing graffiti throughout the city
    6. Offering transit services to senior, students and differently abled residents
    7. Repairing and maintaining local streets and sewers
    8. Investing in gang prevention programs and afterschool programs

If Measure I passes, when would it go into effect?

If approved, Measure I would begin on October 1, 2024.

What would happen if Measure I does not pass?

  1. If a majority of voters do not pass Measure I, the City may need to use its General Fund reserves to cover operational expenses for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025).
  2. If a majority of voters do not pass Measure I, the City may need to consider making cuts to community programs and services.

Documents and Election Information

The following are official documents related to Measure I. Each can be viewed/downloaded as a PDF for your convenience.

To vote on Measure I in the City of Bell, you need to register to vote by the February 20, 2024 deadline:

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