SANTEE, Calif., July 1, 2026 -- Santee voters will decide in November whether to approve a 1 percent sales tax increase after the City Council voted June 24 to place the measure on the ballot, according to East County Magazine.

The measure passed with the four votes needed to advance, with Vice Mayor Ronn Hall opposed. If voters approve it, Santee's sales tax would rise to 8.75 percent for 10 years. City officials said the revenue would help address long-delayed needs, including roads, bridges, storm drains, fire stations and equipment, playgrounds and restroom replacements.

East County Magazine reported that city staff identified $327.7 million in planned capital improvements and estimated the proposed tax would generate about $14 million annually. The council also approved a $68 million general fund budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, with public safety making up the largest share of spending through the fire department and the city's contract with the Sheriff's Department.

The vote puts a pocketbook question directly in front of Santee residents this fall: whether a higher local sales tax is worth the added revenue for city infrastructure and services. Hall told East County Magazine he opposed the move because residents are already struggling and because a separate county sales tax proposal could also go before voters.

The November ballot measure follows earlier discussion of a smaller half-cent increase and comes two years after voters rejected a special half-cent tax for fire stations and firefighters. Source: East County Magazine.