Did people complain or vote on South Gate's 7% utility tax and money gap?

"After several hours of public comment and a divided community response to a consultant survey, the South Gate City Council voted to place a 7% utility users tax measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot"

"The South Gate City Council voted this week to add a Utility User Tax Measure to the ballot in November to help cover a projected $9 million deficit for the 2026-2027 fiscal year caused by inflation, drawing criticism among some community members."

"The South Gate City Council voted April 20 to place a 7% utility users tax (UUT) measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot, sending the proposed ordinance and ballot language to the county for election services and setting an outreach period for the community."

"PASSED, AJ'PROVED, and ADOPTED this 23rd day of June 2026."

"Staff presented 7%, 8% and 9% scenarios and a one‑year water‑bill discount to offset first‑year household impacts."

"According to city documents, UUT would increase taxes for those services by 7%, an increase some community members said would be detrimental to lower-income households, including small businesses."

"the draft measure exempts low‑income seniors and is projected to raise roughly $9 million annually if approved by voters."

"this Resolution shall only be effective if passed by a two-thirds vote (4 or more votes) of the City Council."

"The council approved the spending plan and master fee schedule after staff outlined nearly $9.3 million in reductions over two years intended to balance the general fund starting July 1."

"Yansi Lopez is a business owner in South Gate, who took to the podium during public comment at the council meeting. She spoke out against the ballot measure."

"experienced a structural budget deficit of over $7 million in fiscal year 2025-26, which is being addressed only through the use of non-recurring reserves and one-time measures"

"To address this ongoing fiscal challenge, the City Council is considering whether to place a Utility Users Tax (UUT) measure on a future ballot for voters to consider."

"Councilwoman Maria del Pilar Avalos ultimately voted against the measure item, saying she would like to include a sunset clause to the measure to create a timeline when that measure tax would expire, rather than allowing the tax to have no end, similar to Measure P."

"annually providing approximately $10,400,000 until ended by voters"

"If Council Votes to Put UUT Measure on November Ballot"

"Despite the councilwoman’s concern, her colleagues voted to pass the item, officially adding the UUT Measure to November’s ballot where residents will decide whether the measure passes or not."

"the City Council hereby calls and notices a general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026"

"The tax only takes effect if approved by voters"

"With over a $9 million budget gap without new revenue, the City would permanently eliminate positions, programs, and service capacity across nearly every department."

"annually providing approximately $9,000,000 until ended by voters"

"This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing body of South Gate."

"The Southgate City Council adopted a pared FY2026–27 budget after roughly $9.3 million in reductions and directed more modeling on a proposed utility users tax for the Nov. 3 ballot."

"Measure SG is a proposed Utility Users Tax (UUT) measure that will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot."

"Shall an ordinance preventing cuts to City of South Gate services including maintaining streets and sidewalks; maintaining school crossing guards, parks/ recreation programs, police 911 and support services, and other General Fund uses by establishing an 8% utility user tax, exempting low income seniors, annually providing approximately $10,400,000 until ended by voters"

"Selecting a Utility Users Tax rate of 8% or 9%, in place of the 7% rate reflected in the documents presented on April 14, 2026;"

"Staff presented 7%, 8% and 9% scenarios and a one‑year water‑bill discount to offset first‑year household impacts."

"The measure would set the Utility Users Tax rate at 8%."

"Staff recommends the City Council direct that the measure be set at 8% or 9%."

"The council approved the spending plan and master fee schedule after staff outlined nearly $9.3 million in reductions over two years intended to balance the general fund starting July 1."

"Revenue may be used for any City purpose through the annual budget process in public meetings"

"Southgate adopted a pared FY2026–27 operating budget and capital improvement program Wednesday after a year‑long process that identified an ongoing structural gap."

"by the required two-thirds vote of the full Council under California Government Code section 53724(b);"

"Services that were cut or reduced could be considered for restoration by the City Council"

"the City is in a Financial State of Emergency"

"Read the City Attorney's impartial analysis and the arguments for and against the UUT Measure in your sample ballot."