The Bakersfield City Council put the finishing touches on a November ballot measure that would add a one cent increase to the city's sales tax. The measure was a topic of discussion at the council's meeting Wednesday night.
Bakersfield City Council members approved the language for the increase during that meeting. Currently, the measure states that the money will be earmarked for things like public safety, fire, fiscal stability and quality of life issues like homelessness.
The sales tax is currently at 7.25 percent, with the city only receiving one percent of that total. The new measure would increase that to 8.25 percent.
Council member Andrae Gonzales says the increase is needed because of how drastic the city has grown in the last decade. He says if the measure is passed in November by the voters, the tax would generate an additional $50 million a year for the city.
The city council meeting voted Wednesday approving the increase for the November ballot.
