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 understand the need that we have at this point,” said Mayor Linda Krupa, a member of the ad hoc committee.

Not everyone in Hemet is rooting for the proposed increase in the sales tax. Locals are pointing to crumbling streets, lackluster police response and a public safety crisis that has turned the city into a pressure cooker.

Some residents, such as Judith McPherson, are scared of the increasing crime in the city. She has been “assaulted more than once” in private parking lots,” McPherson said during the meeting last week.

Resident Charles Vineyard, expressed frustration with police handling of paperwork and city priorities, arguing, “Our streets are devastated… if you’re going to do it, designate all the money for those [streets]. Then, after the streets are done, it goes to whatever. Quit putting in little loopholes.”

Some council members voiced their reluctance regarding the tax but concluded it was a necessary step.

“I’m not one for raising taxes, but this is not me raising taxes. This is the people making the decision whether they want to raise the tax. So, I’m going to vote yes to give them the decision on what they want to do,” said Mayor Pro Tem Joe Males.

In 2016, Hemet residents had approved Measure U, a 1% increase in the sales tax –– taking it to 8.75%. The funds collected with the increase sales tax, similar to Measure H, will go to the city’s general fund.

Come November, Hemet voters will decide if they’re willing to pay the price to get their city back on track— or if they’ve finally had enough.

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