San Clemente sales tax measure trails in preliminary returns

San Clemente’s proposed sales tax increase for beach restoration and wildfire prevention faced nearly 64% opposition in preliminary returns early Wednesday, according to Voice of OC. Measure M would raise the city’s sales tax rate from 7.75% to 8.75%.

The proposal would split new revenue equally between restoring beaches and preventing wildfires as San Clemente deals with coastal erosion. City staff estimated the increase could bring in up to $15 million a year, Voice of OC reported.

Opposition stood at nearly 64% in the update reported at 1:36 a.m. Wednesday. Initial election night returns had put the no vote ahead by nearly 6,000 votes, according to Voice of OC. The results were preliminary, and the publication reported that passage requires 50% voter support.

Measure M would add 1 cent in sales tax to each dollar spent within the city. Half of the additional revenue would go toward beach restoration, with the rest supporting wildfire prevention efforts, including the city’s goat grazing program, Voice of OC reported.

The city previously backed a sales tax proposal in November 2024. That measure received 64.62% support but failed because it needed 66.7% approval, according to the publication.

Coastal erosion has damaged the Pacific Surfliner railway and forced closures. The Orange County Transportation Authority declared an emergency to stabilize the railroad with sand and boulders, Voice of OC reported.

The boulders have also contributed to coastal erosion, drawing complaints from city leaders, according to the report. The transportation authority is expected to place 450,000 cubic yards of sand in San Clemente after the El Niño season.

The preliminary count left the proposed funding source trailing while coastal restoration work remained on the agenda. The transportation authority’s planned sand placement is expected after the El Niño season, according to Voice of OC.