Proposed ballot measure to raise Twentynine Palms sales tax causes some confusion amongst residents

When the Twentynine Palms City Council met on June 9, they discussed the reality of a city-wide 1% sales tax increase citing flat revenues, rising costs, and aging facilities. The current rate, 7.75%, would then increase to 8.75%, same as Yucca Valley. 

However, confusion remains around the proposed increase. To be clear, under California law, the council cannot unilaterally increase the local sales tax. Council can vote to place a measure on the ballot, but any sales tax increase can only be approved by the voters. 

Funds from the proposed increase are roughly estimated to result in a $2M addition to the General Fund. In a city-wide poll, locals were asked about the possible increase and what areas should receive the most financial attention. Residents cited law enforcement, road repairs, and the animal shelter as top priorities. 

Local business owner Steve Przybylowski, owner of White Label Vinyl, a record and skate shop at the Corner 62 Building, wondered how those funds might be spent. He also noted that he had participated in the poll. 

“Honestly, I haven’t heard that much about it. From my understanding, the city is having some economic challenges and this could potentially be beneficial, but honestly, I don’t really know that  much other than that. From my perspective, if they are gonna do that, where’s this new financial windfall gonna go? We do have a lot of challenges in Twentynine Palms so it would be great to see an outline of how they’re spending the money and where it will go. I definitely have some opinions of how that should be spent. I’m for progress within the city, being financially stable, having economic development, having business development, trying to bring people here, not just as visitors but as businesses, opening up new businesses. You’re seeing that across the Morongo Valley, people are opening new businesses and we need it in Twentynine just as much.” 

When asked if he thought the tax would affect his business, he shrugged. “I don’t see that. I have two expensive hobbies – skateboards and records. They only care about the price of the records. I think a sales tax is an afterthought.”  

Mike Usher, owner of Grnd Sqrl restaurant, had a similar take: 

“I really look forward to learning more about it in the coming months because I think initially, the idea of taxes being raised doesn’t feel good for anyone but I also understand that with the rising costs of everything and the budget of the city, that we have to figure out and make some tough business decisions somewhere. So I’m looking forward to learning more about it and hopefully finding out some information about where some of this money might go and how it’s gonna be used.” 

Asked if he thought it would affect his business flow, Usher responded: 

“It’s hard to say but I don’t think so. I think that our surrounding communities, a lot of them have already adopted a sales tax or a number that’s similar to what we’re looking at. Potentially, I think rising costs all across the board are impacting things so another rising cost probably won’t help but hard to say.” 

The proposed sales tax increase will be on the Twentynine Palms City Council agenda for their June 23 meeting.