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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-R____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING RESPECTIVE
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TWO QUESTIONS TO BE
CONSIDERED BY THE VOTERS AT THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2026.
WHEREAS, a General Municipal Election (Election) is to be held in the City of Culver City on November 3, 2026, at which time there will be submitted to the voters the following two questions (Measures):
Measure ___
Shall an ordinance to maintain Culver City emergency
response/ firefighter/ paramedic/ police staffing; affordable housing/ mental health/ homeless reduction programs;
improve streets, sidewalks, public transportation,
infrastructure, parks and other general fund services by raising Culver City’s transient occupancy tax paid by hotel/ motel guests from 14% to 15% until March 1, 2028, and then to 16%, generating up to approximately $2,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring annual audits, public
spending disclosures, with all funds used locally, be adopted?
YES _____
NO _____
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Measure ___
Shall the measure amending the City of Culver City Charter to allow Culver City residents aged 16 and 17, who are
otherwise eligible to vote under state and local law, to vote on City and School District candidates and ballot measures, provided that each legislative body has approved budgetary funds and determined logistical systems are in place, and that inclusion would not prevent consolidation of City or School District elections with county elections, be adopted?
YES _____
NO _____
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows:
1. The respective Arguments in Favor of said Measures, attached hereto as Exhibits "A” and “B” are hereby approved; and,
2. The arguments shall be filed with the Elections Official no later than August 14, 2026, signed, with the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it. The arguments shall be accompanied by the Form of Statement to be filed by the author(s) of the arguments, as well as the completed Ballot Label/Argument and Rebuttals Form of 125 characters or less.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this _____ day of ___________ 2026.
FREDDY PUZA, Mayor
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JEREMY BOCCHINO HEATHER BAKER
City Clerk City Attorney
DRAFT ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF BALLOT MEASURE ARGUMENT
TO INCREASE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT)
Measure ___ asks visitors — not Culver City residents — to help pay for the services they use while they’re here.
Culver City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), the “hotel tax,” is paid by guests staying in our hotels, motels, and short-term rentals for 30 days or less. Residents don’t pay it.
The rate hasn’t changed since April 2012, when 83.3% of voters approved it. Costs have risen ever since.
This measure raises the TOT one percent at a time — to 15% in 2027, then 16% in 2028 — generating an estimated $2 million annually. Those dollars stay here, maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response, firefighter, paramedic and police staffing; affordable housing, mental health and homelessness reduction programs; and repairs to streets, sidewalks, storm drains and parks.
The phase-in matters. Increasing gradually gives our 17 tax-paying hotels time to adjust before the 2028 Olympics bring record visitor demand to the Westside.
At 16%, Culver City is no outlier. Counting tourism district assessments, our neighbors already charge as much or more: Los Angeles 16% (14% plus a 2% Tourism Marketing District assessment), Anaheim 17% (15% plus 2%), Santa Monica roughly 16–18%, West Hollywood 15.5% (12.5% plus 3%). Inglewood charges 15.5% today. We would sit squarely within the regional market — competitive for our hotels, fair to our residents.
Unlike other revenue, this local tax cannot be taken by Sacramento. It requires annual audits and public disclosure of spending, and continues only until voters end it.
Visitors use our streets, our parks and our emergency services. This measure simply asks them to pay their share.
Please join us in voting YES on Measure ___.
DRAFT ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF BALLOT MEASURE ARGUMENT
TO LOWER THE CULVER CITY VOTING AGE TO 16
Measure__ is an investment in Culver City’s future, strengthening local democracy by welcoming 16- and 17-year-olds into the civic process. Young people don’t have to wait until 18 before local government begins shaping their lives. Decisions by the Mayor, City Council, and School Board affect their schools, parks, transportation, public safety, recreation programs, and future opportunities.
Every day, Culver City’s 16- and 17-year-olds contribute to the community by working, paying taxes, driving, volunteering, leading student organizations, and serving as active neighbors. They have demonstrated the responsibility to participate in decisions that directly affect them. A YES vote on Measure__ gives them a voice in local elections where they already have a meaningful stake.
This proposal is not new to Culver City voters. In 2022, the same idea appeared on the ballot as Measure VY and fell just 16 votes short of passage—the narrowest margin of any contest on the county’s ballot that year. It also received more votes than the highest vote getting City Council candidate, demonstrating broad community engagement with the issue.
Measure__ builds on a growing movement. Communities across California and the nation have expanded local voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds, with encouraging results. Research shows that people who vote when they first become eligible are more likely to remain engaged throughout their lives. 16- and 17-year-olds are especially well positioned to cast their first ballot while supported by their families, schools, and community. Communities that have adopted Vote16 have reported strong youth turnout, increased civic knowledge, and deeper connections between young people and local government.
A YES vote on Measure__ is about more than one election. It prepares the next generation of informed voters, strengthens local democracy, and ensures more residents with a stake in Culver City’s future have the opportunity to help shape it for generations to come.