Crime-plagued Southern California city poised to have highest sales tax in Riverside County unless voters reject it in November

A city in the San Jacinto Valley is set to ask voters this November to approve a 1% sales tax increase, slapping locals with the highest sales tax rate in Riverside County.The Hemet City Council voted unanimously last week to place the measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot, aiming to address a persistent structural deficit and funding gaps in public safety services.City Attorney Steven Pacifico said that the increase “would put us at the highest in Riverside County, but I know there’s many other jurisdictions that are going to be looking at doing the same thing.” The increase would make Hemet’s sales tax rate higher than ritzy cities like Palm Springs and La Quinta.If approved, the measure is projected to raise approximately $16 million annually, though revenue would not materialize immediately.

“You will not actually see the revenue until approximately August 2027,” Pacifico said.The push for new revenue comes against a backdrop of ongoing budget constraints, street repair projects and increased demand for emergency services.Interim City Manager Noah Rau told the council that while previous efforts reduced a $13.3 million deficit, the city faces a concerning structural deficit.“This…represents an important step in the council’s ongoing efforts to address the city’s long-term financial sustainability, while maintaining the essential services our residents rely on every day,” said Noah Rau, interim city manager.He added that “several of the cost reduction measures taken this year will not be sustainable long term and the true problem is larger than $4 million,” noting that reserve funds are projected to drop to 32% from the 40% policy target.A feasibility study conducted by the city prior to introducing the issue to the council indicated that a majority of residents, with at least 59% in each council district, favored the measure.“Every one of us in that room were absolutely shocked at the results that came back, and that our citizens u...