Lincoln council votes to place 1-cent sales tax measure on Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to shore up public safety

The Lincoln City Council voted 5-0 on June 23 to place a proposed 1-cent general sales tax measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, after a months-long review of fiscal forecasts, community outreach and presentations from police and fire leadership.

City Manager Sean Skully described the proposal as "a multi-year effort" driven by a five-year forecast showing the general fund drawing down to zero by 2030 without new revenue. Assistant Finance Director Nita told the council staff estimates the tax would yield roughly $6 million annually and said the city would provide public spending disclosure, annual audits and a citizens' oversight committee if voters approve the measure.

Why it matters: Officials said the tax is designed both to prevent cuts to core services and to fund specific public-safety priorities residents identified in outreach: retaining and recruiting sworn staff, adding advanced life-support (ALS) paramedic capability for fire engines, and preserving patrol and specialty units. Fire and police chiefs told the council that Lincoln currently operates with fewer officers and firefighters per capita than neighboring cities and that delayed 911/ALS response times are a growing concern.

Police Chief Matt Alves told the council his department is "authorized 32 officers" but still operates short on some days; he said an addition of roughly seven sworn positions would stabilize patrol and specialty units. Fire Chief Anthony Mia called the measure "a fork in the road" for the fire department: without new funding, staff said, planned ALS additions and some positions would be off the table.

What the polling and language show: Staff presented polling results showing majority support for a general public-safety tax. The presentation cited about 59% support for a general safety-focused tax and stronger support (about 62%) when the question included language that the tax would continue "until ended by voters." City staff emphasized that a general sales tax requires a simple majority to pass; a special-purpose public-safety tax would require a two-thirds majority.

On oversight and usage: Officials said the measure is a general tax that would deposit into the general fund but that the city would institute specific accountability measures so residents can track spending. "Everything that they want, if a measure is adopted, we're going to give it to them," Nita said, noting plans for a dedicated dashboard, audits and public disclosure to show how revenues are spent.

Projected household impact and fiscal context: Staff and council discussed leakage of retail sales to neighboring communities and a range of per-household estimates. During the meeting staff gave a conservative range of roughly $120 to $330 per household annually depending on spending patterns; one council member estimated about $200 per household using the city's leakage assumptions. Council members pressed staff on sustainability: staff said the $6 million would materially reduce the budget gap but that future budget decisions and increased commercial activity would also affect long-term results.

Public safety testimony and community comment: Battalion Chief Evan Fattis (fire) and Battalion Chief TJ Thomas (fire) urged the council to support paramedic services, saying early ALS interventions can meaningfully affect outcomes for cardiac and respiratory emergencies. Detective Antonio Vera (Lincoln Police Officers Association president) described incidents earlier this year that illustrated staffing strain. Several residents spoke in favor of protecting public safety and preserving library and parks services by securing local revenue.

Council action and next steps: After the presentation and public comment the council adopted two resolutions on roll call (5-0): one calling the November 3, 2026 election and requesting Placer County election services; the second authorizing submission of the 1-cent sales tax measure to voters. The council approved the exact ballot language presented as the staff exhibit, which describes the measure as providing approximately $6 million annually for general governmental uses including public safety, with citizen oversight, annual audits and public spending disclosure. The city clerk announced the nomination period for the two council seats on the ballot will run July 13 to August 12.

What happens next: City staff said they will return with implementation details, a budget plan phased over time, and further outreach. If voters approve the measure, officials said they would phase hiring and paramedic implementation to match recruitment capacity and budget realities rather than promise a fixed set of positions at approval.

Quote: "This has been a multi-year effort," City Manager Sean Skully said, arguing the proposal was grounded in years of outreach and financial analysis. "We can take command of this moment," he added, noting the council was asking voters to decide the city's long-term service priorities.

Ending: The council's vote sends the proposed 1-cent tax to voters in November; the community will decide whether to approve the measure that city officials say is needed to protect public safety and stabilize the general fund.