Santa Fe Springs council calls special election for quarter‑cent sales tax after Northstar survey shows strong support
July 02, 2025 | Santa Fe Springs City, Los Angeles County, California
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The Santa Fe Springs City Council voted unanimously July 1 to declare a fiscal emergency and place a proposed quarter‑cent local sales tax on the Nov. 4, 2025 special municipal election ballot.
City Manager Renee Bobadilla told the council the measure would keep locally collected funds in Santa Fe Springs rather than letting other agencies receive the quarter‑cent that became available after voter approval of Measure A. Bobadilla said the city intends to use the revenue for fire and paramedic services, parks and recreation improvements and similar priorities.
The city presented results of community outreach conducted by Northstar Alliance. Casey Garrison of Northstar said the firm collected 454 cleaned survey responses and more than 850 resident interactions. In Northstar’s first survey version, 81% of respondents said they would vote yes on a quarter‑cent sales tax; more than 91% supported using funds for fire and paramedic services, parks and police. Northstar recommended targeted communications in South Santa Fe Springs and to residents aged 50 and older.
Bobadilla and other city staff said the measure would fund expanded paramedic capacity. City staff indicated the plan would add six paramedic positions, creating two paramedic squads instead of one to improve local emergency response. The council emphasized transparency and communication with residents about how funds would be spent.
Councilmember discussion was brief. After a motion and second, the council approved the resolution calling the election and declaring a fiscal emergency. A roll call recorded Councilmember Mora, Councilmember Martin, Councilmember Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Zamora and Mayor Rounds voting Aye.
The council also approved placing several related outreach and administrative steps into motion, including selecting a short ballot title and preparing an education campaign if the measure proceeds to the ballot.
The city manager said staff will coordinate with the county registrar to finalize the measure title and to begin voter education work leading up to the November election.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the measure by unanimous roll call and directed staff to proceed with outreach and election coordination. The election date is Nov. 4, 2025.
City Manager Renee Bobadilla told the council the measure would keep locally collected funds in Santa Fe Springs rather than letting other agencies receive the quarter‑cent that became available after voter approval of Measure A. Bobadilla said the city intends to use the revenue for fire and paramedic services, parks and recreation improvements and similar priorities.
The city presented results of community outreach conducted by Northstar Alliance. Casey Garrison of Northstar said the firm collected 454 cleaned survey responses and more than 850 resident interactions. In Northstar’s first survey version, 81% of respondents said they would vote yes on a quarter‑cent sales tax; more than 91% supported using funds for fire and paramedic services, parks and police. Northstar recommended targeted communications in South Santa Fe Springs and to residents aged 50 and older.
Bobadilla and other city staff said the measure would fund expanded paramedic capacity. City staff indicated the plan would add six paramedic positions, creating two paramedic squads instead of one to improve local emergency response. The council emphasized transparency and communication with residents about how funds would be spent.
Councilmember discussion was brief. After a motion and second, the council approved the resolution calling the election and declaring a fiscal emergency. A roll call recorded Councilmember Mora, Councilmember Martin, Councilmember Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Zamora and Mayor Rounds voting Aye.
The council also approved placing several related outreach and administrative steps into motion, including selecting a short ballot title and preparing an education campaign if the measure proceeds to the ballot.
The city manager said staff will coordinate with the county registrar to finalize the measure title and to begin voter education work leading up to the November election.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the measure by unanimous roll call and directed staff to proceed with outreach and election coordination. The election date is Nov. 4, 2025.
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