Lompoc mayor talks next steps as sales tax measure receives majority vote

LOMPOC, Calif. - Residents in Lompoc voted in favor of Measure I by 68 percent.

This means the city will increase its sales tax rate by 1 percent.

City leaders are pleased as Measure I is on track to pass.

"We’re very excited it’s something that’s been building up since the budget cycle and public has been well-informed," said Jim Throop with the City of Lompoc.

Throop said the situation would have been much worse if Measure I did not pass.

"It was to the Point where we would be unable to make payments to outside agencies so this now gives us a breath of fresh air," Throop said.

Jenelle Osborne with the City of Lompoc said the sales tax increase is necessary to keep up with the current level of city services.

"My hope is that we would be able to return the three positions in the police department. That's a big goal for me personally and also identifying with the surplus is there funding to help out with the parks or streets are other areas besides The public safety need that we have," Osborne said.

Osborne said raising the sales tax by one percent would generate about $4.8 million per year for the city’s general fund.city staff is now planning for several discussions on how future revenue would be spent.

The next step is City Council will present an overview of measure I at the next meeting on March 17.