Council Position on
Measure RS
September 15, 2026
Consider taking a formal position on Measure RS - the Rancho Palos Verdes Public Safety/City Services Measure - that has been placed on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot for voter consideration.
Overview
In March 2025, Council established Fiscal
Sustainability as a Council goal due to:
Increasing financial pressures from landslide
Maintaining aging infrastructure
Cost to maintain high quality, essential city
services, such as public safety, emergency
prep, wildfire mitigation, parks/recreation and
more
Fiscal Sustainability
City identified $11.3M in available fund balances
between FY 25-26 and FY 26-27, by implementing the
following:
Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee and FAC
evaluated the City’s fiscal condition
5 Budget Workshops/Meetings to gather feedback
and carefully shape the budget
CPI adjustments, expenditure reductions, grant
funding, reinstating previously suspended revenue
sources
Fiscal Sustainability
Efforts
Despite these efforts, there are still major financial needs that place an increasing burden on the budget.
$75M in anticipated landslide response and
mitigation costs from Oct. 2022-June 2027
$86M in potentially unfunded CIPs over the next
5 years
Maintaining aging infrastructure and essential city
services
Ongoing Needs
On July 21, City Council voted unanimously to place
Measure RS on the Nov. 3 ballot:
Increases TOT from 10%* to 13%
Paid only by hotel and motel guests
Generates an additional $2.2M of General Fund revenue per year to support City services
All revenue is locally controlled and cannot be taken by the State or County. Only used for RPV City Services
Subject to audits/spending disclosures
*The lowest rate among comparable cities, whose rates range from 10-15% Measure RS
Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney
An Argument in Favor submitted by:
Stacey Girard, PVP Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Cartozian, Wayfarers Chapel
Gail Lorenzen, RPV Neighborhood Watch,
Claudia Krikorian, Peninsula Montessori School
Gregory O’Brien, Retired Judge
No Argument in Opposition or Rebuttals submitted
Measure RS Status
Two Community Needs Surveys conducted
in February and June 2026 indicated that a
strong majority of respondents (65% to
75%) supported increasing the TOT from
10% to 13%.
Survey Says
Under CA law, Council may formally adopt a position on a measure, so long as it is taken at an open meeting where all voices may be heard. However, City cannot and will not use public funds or resources to advocate for a position on Measure RS.
All City communications on Measure RS over the next few months will continue to be accurate, impartial, and factual. They include via newsletters, social media, presentations, etc. using funds budgeted for this purpose. Public employees and elected officials may engage in political activities, on their own time and using their own resources.
Add’l Information
Recommendation
Given the information presented, Staff
recommends to:
1. Consider a position on Measure RS.
2. If the City Council desires to take a support
position, adopt Resolution No. 2026-__ to
memorialize its position formally.