Measure BB
During the June 2 election, Bell residents will be able to vote on Measure BB: a 1-cent local sales tax generating approximately $3.5 million annually until ended by voters. The measure gives voters the opportunity to decide how best to maintain the City's long-term financial stability and the community's services. All funds raised by Measure BB would be legally required to be spent in the City of Bell and could not be taken by the County, State, or federal government. The measure includes strict accountability provisions, including independent residents' oversight committee, public disclosure of all spending, and annual independent financial audits.
Before you vote in the June 2, 2026 election, please learn more about Measure BB on this webpage.
On February 25, 2026, the Bell City Council adopted a resolution calling for the placement of a one cent Sales Tax on the June 2, 2026 ballot.
Measure BB 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 BB, 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 BB would take effect only if it receives a majority "YES" vote in the June 2, 2026 election.
The City’s current and future financial condition is of significant concern. The City’s economic condition has not improved significantly over the past 15 years. While there have been tremendous strides and gains in the areas of Financial Reporting and Transparency, Independent External Audits, Restructuring of Long-Term Debt and creating General Fund Reserves.
Revenue vs. Expense Imbalance. Two thirds (2/3) of the City’s revenue come from three (3) revenue sources: Property tax, Sales tax, and Utility tax. Since 2020, while property and sales taxes have risen modestly, the decline in utility taxes has eliminated this gain. Meanwhile, like many other California and Los Angeles County cities, the City of Bell’s costs have risen approximately 20% over that same period.
In recent years, California cities—including Bell- have all been affected by national and regional economic factors that have created a flat (limited) revenue growth, while costs have continued to increase, which is a formula that creates lack of fiscal sustainability for local government budgets. If there were any national recession or regional economic decline that would significantly impact the city’s fiscal solvency.
A table below illustrates the problem:
Unavoidable Costs. The city has faced significant staff turnover at all levels of the organization, including personnel providing direct services to the community. This high rate of turnover is due largely in part to the City’s inability to recruit and retain experienced staff providing core community services. (Approximately 70 % of the City’s general fund revenue goes to maintain the City’s Public Safety and Community Services Department.) In addition, among other operations, General Fund pays for maintaining 911, preventing crime, protecting firefighter/paramedic services, keeping public spaces and parks safe and clean, and other programs the community relies on.
California law effectively "caps" the City’s sales tax at a maximum rate of 10.25%. The current sales tax rate of 9.75% leaves only 1% 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 BB, the additional 1% sales tax would bring the sales tax rate in the city to 10.75%. The City of Bell would then receive 1% out of that 10.75%. The rest goes to L.A. County and the State. A 1% sales tax increase would generate approximately $3.5 million per year into the City’s General Fund.
If Measure BB passes, the one cent (1%) 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.
In December and January, the City commissioned an independent Budget Priorities community survey to get input from residents on these issues and gauge interest, if any in another locally controlled revenue measure. The highlights of the survey, which interviewed several hundred respondents in Bell, are as follows:
Measure BB was designed to fund the following priorities identified by Bell residents:
- Protecting firefighters and paramedic services
- Keeping public areas and parks safe and clean
- Maintaining and improving 911 services
- Preventing crime and thefts
For more information about the June 2, 2026 election:
Visit the City's Election webpage or contact City Clerk/Election Official Angela Bustamante at (323) 588-6211, Ext. 2615 or abustamante@cityofbell.gov
What is Measure BB?
On February 25th the Bell City Council voted to place Measure BB, the City of Bell Public Safety and City Services Measure, on June 2, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. Measure BB would provide a locally controlled source of funding that could be used to help protect essential City services and maintain Bell residents’ quality of life.
What is the question for voters?
City of Bell Public Safety/City Services Measure To help secure the City of Bell’s financial stability and maintain municipal services, including fire, paramedic, 911, police services; prevent crime/thefts; keep public areas and parks safe/clean; maintain streets, youth/afterschool and anti-gang programs; address homelessness; shall the measure establishing a 1¢ sales tax, generating approximately $3,500,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring independent audits/community oversight committee, public spending disclosure, with all funds locally controlled, be adopted?
Why was Measure BB placed on the ballot?
Without additional local funding, the City will be forced to make cuts to the total number of police officers; drug prevention and anti-gang programs; youth and senior recreation programs; street maintenance; efforts to address homelessness; and other services. This Measure is essential to maintaining Bell residents’ quality of life.
What challenges are the City facing?
Increasingly, funding from the Federal Government and State of California has reduced the responsibilities of many programs, shifting them back to local cities like Bell, which often lack the necessary funds to provide essential services for residents. All funds raised by Measure BB are legally required to be spent in Bell and cannot be taken by Los Angeles County, State of California, or Federal government.
How could Measure BB support youth and afterschool programs?
Studies show that between 3 PM and 6 PM – the hours after school ends and before parents typically return home from work – children and teens without an afterschool activity are three times more likely to get into trouble. This measure can provide funding to prevent more cuts to supervised afterschool programs at city parks, recreation centers, and the library to keep our children and teens off the streets, safe, and out of trouble.
What types of services could Measure BB help support?
If approved by voters, Measure BB could help protect firefighter and paramedic services, maintain and improve 911 emergency response services, keep public areas and parks safe and clean, prevent crime and theft, maintain streets and infrastructure, and help secure the City of Bell’s long-term financial stability.
What accountability measures are included in Measure BB?
Measure BB includes strict fiscal accountability provisions, including independent oversight committee by residents, public disclosure of all spending, and annual independent financial audits. These requirements are intended to ensure funds are used effectively, as promised, and only for programs and services that benefit the Bell community.
When is the election?
Measure BB will appear on June 2, 2026 statewide primary election ballot. Additional information, including ballot materials and election details can be found on the City’s website Measure BB - June 2, 2026 Election.
The following are official documents related to Measure I. Each can be viewed/downloaded as a PDF for your convenience.
To vote on Measure BB in the City of Bell, you need to register to vote by the May 18, 2026 deadline: