LEGISLATIVE BODY
ERIC OHLSEN, MAYOR
AUSTIN BISHOP, MAYOR PRO TEM
RICHARD J. LOA, COUNCILMEMBER
LAURA BETTENCOURT, COUNCILMEMBER
ANDREA ALARCÓN, COUNCILMEMBER
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CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY
SUITE B
PALMDALE, CA 93550
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026
12:00 PM
www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov
WELCOME
City Council
Monday, May 11, 2026
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1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Note: All City Council memberships are reflected in their City Council titles.
2. ROLL CALL
MAYOR OHLSEN, MAYOR PRO TEM BISHOP, COUNCILMEMBERS LOA,
BETTENCOURT, ALARC
Ó
N
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
4. NEW BUSINESS - Now is the time for public participation.
4.1 Adopt Resolution No. CC 2026-029, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale expressing the City Council's opposition to Measure ER, a Los Angeles Countywide initiative, on the June 2026 statewide ballot.
SR Reso. No. CC 2026-029.docx
Reso. No. CC 2026-029.docx
5. ADJOURN
City Council
Monday, May 11, 2026
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City Council Staff Report
DATE: MAY 11, 2026
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
DISTRICT: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026 -029, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE EXPRESSING THE
CITY COUNCIL’S OPPOSITION TO MEASURE ER, A LOS ANGELES
COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVE , ON THE JUNE 2026 STATEWIDE
BALLOT
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. CC 2026-029, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale expressing the City Council’s opposition to Measure ER, a Los Angeles Countywide initiative on the June 2026 statewide ballot; and,
2. Direct staff to continue legal analysis and intergovernmental coordination related to Countywide tax policy and local fiscal autonomy.
BACKGROUND:
This item is presented at the request of the City Council on May 5, 2026, for consideration to express a formal position regarding Measure ER, a Los Angeles County ballot measure appearing on the June 2026 statewide ballot.
DISCUSSION
Measure ER may create fiscal, operational, or administrative impacts affecting the City and its residents. The measure proposes a Countywide 0.5% transaction and use tax increase that would apply uniformly across Los Angeles County, including in Palmdale.
Measure ER revenues are not legally required to be allocated in proportion to the amounts collected within Palmdale. Allocation decisions would remain subject to the County’s budgetary discretion.
Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Reso. No. CC 2026-029
May 11, 2026
The attached resolution is presented for the City Council’s consideration to formally state its position on Measure ER. The City Council may also consider directing staff to evaluate or pursue additional actions related to local fiscal autonomy and Countywide tax policy, including:
Coordinating with similarly situated gateway and suburban cities Engaging with the League of California Cities regarding regional tax policy impacts Continuing legal analysis regarding potential conflicts with the statewide sales tax cap
Conducting legislative or intergovernmen tal advocacy with Los Angeles County and the State
Providing public information regarding cumulative tax burdens on residents and businesses
Assessing potential post-election legal options, if warranted
Adoption of the attached resolution would formally state the City Council’s position on Measure ER and direct staff to continue coordinated legal and intergovernmental analysis related to Countywide tax policy and local fiscal autonomy.
FISCAL IMPACT
$0; There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Adoption of the attached Resolution does not authorize any expenditure of public funds.
Prepared by: Alexandra Severino, City Attorney
Certified as to availability of funds: Janelle Samson, Deputy City Manager Approved by: Salvador Mendez, City Manager
Approved as to form: Alexandra Severino, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
Reso. No. CC 2026-029
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026-029
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE EXPRESSING THE CITY’S OPPOSITION TO MEASURE ER , A LOS
ANGELES COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVE, ON THE JUNE 2026 STATEWIDE BALLOT.
WHEREAS, Measure ER is a Los Angeles County (“County”) ballot measure scheduled to appear on the June 2026 election ballot;
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the text of Measure ER and evaluated its potential fiscal, operational, and service ‑level impacts on the residents and businesses of the City of Palmdale (“City”);
WHEREAS, Measure ER proposes a Countywide transaction and use tax increase of 0.5%, which would apply to City res idents, regardless of local income levels, cost of living, or regional service levels provided in the Antelope Valley;
WHEREAS, City residents already pay one of the highest combined sales tax rates in Los Angeles County and California;
WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned that additional Countywide transaction and use taxes reduce the remaining local revenue capacity available for cities to address future local infrastructure, public safety, transportation, parks, and quality of life needs through locally controlled funding measures;
WHEREAS, Measure ER revenues are not legally restricted to geographically proportional service delivery within the City of Palmdale, and future allocations remain subject to County budgetary discretion;
WHEREAS, the Antelope Valley’s geographic distance from the County’s urban core creates unique service -delivery and transportation challenges that warrant careful consideration when imposing additional Countywide taxes on local residents;
WHEREAS, City households have a median income significantly lower than many other regions of the County, and an increase in sales tax could have a disproportionate impact on City’s residents, who already face higher transportation costs and greater travel distances for many County-administered services;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to protect local fiscal autonomy and prevent overreliance on regressive taxation; and
Resolution No. CC 2026-029
WHEREAS, the City Council is considering this matter in a public meeting to ensure transparency, to allow residents to hear the City’s analysis of how Measure ER may affect local tax burdens and County service allocations, and to provide an open forum for public understanding of the measure’s potential impacts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palmdale as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals are true and correct and constitute the finding s of the City Council in this matter.
SECTION 2 . The City Council, after reviewing the potential impacts of Measure ER on Palmdale residents and City operations, hereby expresses its opposition to Measure ER based on the informational findings identified in this Resolution.
SECTION 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 11th day of May, 2026.
_________________________________
Approved as to form: Eric Ohlsen, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________ _________________________________ Alexandra Severino Rochelle Scott, City Clerk
City Attorney
Resolution No. CC 2026-029
I, Rochelle Scott, City Clerk of the City of Palmdale, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Palmdale at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 11th day of May, 2026 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:___________________________________________________________
ABSTAIN:______________________ABSENT:__________________________ _
Date:
Rochelle Scott, City Clerk