TITLE:
title
CITY BALLOT INITIATIVES PERTAINING TO BUSINESS LICENSE REFORM AND TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
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DEPARTMENT: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: ANNA ACOSTA-REYES, FINANCE MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: ANNA ACOSTA-REYES, FINANCE MANAGER (714) 754-5219
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff requests that the City Council take action on the placement of the following two ballot measure(s) on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
1. Determine whether to place the Business License Reform measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot by adoption of the following resolutions:
a. Adopt Resolution 2026-xx (Attachment 1): Ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Costa Mesa "The Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure" at the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as called by Resolution No. 2026-21.
b. Adopt Resolution 2026-xx (Attachment 3): Requesting the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the Statewide General Election to be held on the date pursuant to section 10403 of the Elections Code.
c. Adopt Resolution 2026-xx (Attachment 4): Authorizing written arguments for or against the proposed measure "The Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure," setting priorities for filing written arguments, determining the authors of the written arguments, and directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis; and
d. Adopt Resolution 2026-xx (Attachment 5): Authorizing the filing of rebuttal arguments for "The Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure"; and
2. Receive and file the report pertaining to a potential Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) measure.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa first adopted a Business License Tax in 1985 through the establishment of Title 9, Chapter 1 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC). The City's Busi...
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