Fiscal Sustainability

Sales Tax Measure on November Ballot to Address City of Lafayette's Fiscal Challenges

Since Lafayette was incorporated in 1968 as a limited-service City, we have been very proud to have been able to keep expenses down and
consistently balance our budgets. However, due to recent cost increases – on everything from contracted materials and labor for street maintenance, to insurance, to additional unfunded mandates being imposed by the State – we are now faced with a structural deficit of more than $2M annually, which represents approximately 10% of the City’s General Fund budget.

The City Council considered several funding options to address this deficit and ultimately decided to ask Lafayette voters to authorize a local sales tax increase of 1/2% (a half-penny on every taxable dollar spent locally) to address this set of challenges. This initiative, Measure H will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

To find out more about why and how the Council decided to put this measure on the ballot, refer to the information provided below.

Background Information

• Read the open letter to the community #3 (October 2024) 
• Watch a presentation about the City’s finances and Measure H (posted Oct. 18, 2024)
• Read Information about Measure H, the Lafayette Sales Tax Measure (posted Sept. 13, 2024)
• Read the FAQs (updated Oct. 30, 2024)
• Read the open letter to the community #2 (July 2024)
• Watch a recording of the July 22 City Council Meeting when the funding measure was placed on the on November 5, 2024 Ballot, or read the agenda packet
• Watch a recording of the July 8 City Council meeting discussion about placing a sales tax measure on the ballot, or read the Staff Report
• Read the announcement, Sales Tax Measure Being Considered for Lafayette Voters to Decide on November Ballot
• Watch the Staff presentation to City Council seeking direction about placing a sales tax measure on the ballot or read the June 10, 2024  staff report
• Watch the Staff presentation on Budget Reduction Options and Impacts at the June 10 City council Meeting or read the Staff Report
• Read the open letter to community members (June 2024)
• Read the May 2024 issue of Lafayette Vistas to learn more about why this City is facing a deficit.
• Read the January 2024 issue of Lafayette Vistas to learn more about the convoluted world of City finances.
• Visit www.lovelafayette.org/budget to learn more about the budget process and how you can get involved.
• Download the most recent Annual Comprehensive Fiscal Report, which details what was actually spent and received each fiscal year

Connect with us and find out what's going on in Lafayette

The Main City Offices are located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #210 Lafayette, CA 94549. We are open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm (No walks-in on Fridays; visits by appointment only). If you have a question about fiscal sustainability, call us at (925) 284-1968 or send an email to 

lafayettelistens@lovelafayette.org. 

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