Santee could ask voters in November to approve a new citywide sales tax increase as leaders look for ways to pay for fire protection, law enforcement, roads, parks and other city services.

At its May 5 meeting, the City Council approved an additional $29,000 for Team CivX to study whether a full-cent increase should be placed on the ballot, according to East County Magazine. The city had previously studied a half-cent increase, but officials said polling results led them to explore a larger option.

Santee's current sales tax rate is 7.75%. A half-cent increase would bring it to 8.25%, while a full-cent increase would bring it to 8.75%. East County Magazine reported that the consultant work has cost nearly $170,000 so far.

Council members cited constrained city finances and rising costs as reasons for considering the measure, while opponents raised concerns about asking voters for a broad tax increase that would not be locked to one specific expense. Councilman Rob McNelis voted against the contract extension, and Councilman Ronn Hall questioned whether a tax hike could pass in East County.

The results are expected at the council's June 24 meeting, giving the city time to decide whether to put a measure on the November ballot. Santee voters rejected a half-cent fire services sales tax measure in 2024 by about 4 percentage points.