KING CITY — King City voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to increase the city’s sales tax to support local services, while also considering a proposal to reorganize South Monterey County’s school districts.
Three local measures are particularly relevant to King City voters, including a proposed sales tax increase, a school district reorganization and a county hotel tax increase that would apply to unincorporated areas.
Here is a look at the measures.
Measure P: King City sales tax
Measure P asks King City voters to continue the city’s existing sales tax and increase the rate from 1% to 1.5%.
The measure is expected to generate approximately $3.6 million annually to support general city services, including 911 fire, medical and police response, gang and violent crime prevention and investigations, firefighter protective clothing and breathing equipment, and street and pothole repairs.
The city has said the additional revenue would help maintain essential services and protect its financial stability. The existing 1% tax, known as Measure K, is scheduled to expire in April 2029.
The measure includes requirements for audits, public disclosure and citizen oversight. Revenue would remain locally controlled and be dedicated to services benefiting King City residents.
The tax would continue until voters end it. A majority vote is required for passage.
Measure J: School district reorganization
Measure J asks voters within the boundaries of South Monterey County Joint Union High School District — which recently regained full local control — to approve a reorganization that would create two unified school districts.
The proposal would establish Greenfield Unified School District, covering Greenfield High School and the territory of the existing Greenfield Union School District, and King City Joint Unified School District, covering King City High School and the territory of the existing King City Union School District.
The current Greenfield Union School District, King City Union School District and South Monterey County Joint Union High School District would be dissolved. If approved by voters, the new unified school districts would take effect in the 2028-29 school year.
California State Board of Education approved the reorganization plans July 8. The proposal also includes requests from five elementary school districts — San Lucas, San Ardo, Bradley, San Antonio and Bitterwater-Tully — to become component districts of the new King City Joint Unified School District.
The measure also coordinates elections for the new districts’ governing boards with the reorganization vote. If voters approve the proposal, the newly elected boards would be ready to govern. If it fails, the existing districts and boards would remain in place.
A majority vote is required for passage.
Measure E: County hotel tax increase
Measure E would increase Monterey County’s transient occupancy tax in unincorporated areas from 10.5% to 12.5%, generating an estimated $7.6 million annually.
The tax is paid by guests staying 30 days or less at hotels, motels, inns and other lodging establishments. The increase would apply only in unincorporated areas of the county, not within incorporated cities, such as King City.
Revenue would go into the county’s general fund to support local services and help offset costs associated with tourism. Potential uses include road repairs, water and sewer infrastructure, emergency services, libraries, parks, healthcare and efforts to reduce homelessness.
The tax would remain in place until voters end it. A majority vote is required for approval.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Monterey County voters can find local ballot information, including candidate lists and measures, at MontereyCountyElections.us. For information on statewide candidates and ballot measures, visit sos.ca.gov/elections.
