To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
STEPHANIE MEYER, FINANCE DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADD A BALLOT MEASURE TO THE MARCH 2, 2027, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO INCREASE THE UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT); SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING WRITTEN ARGUMENTS AND REBUTTALS; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS; AND TO ASSIGN A LETTER DESIGNATION
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2611-090, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF A CERTAIN MEASURE RELATING TO AN INCREASE IN THE UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT) AT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2027, AS CALLED BY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2610-080
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2611-091, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SETTING PRIORITIES FOR THE FILING OF WRITTEN ARGUMENTS, REBUTTALS AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS REGARDING A CERTAIN MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2027, AS CALLED BY RESOLUTION NO CC-2610-080
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 13, 2026, the City Council provided direction to the City Clerk to add a measure to the March 2, 2027 General Municipal Election to amend the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) Title 8 Finance, Revenue, and Taxation, Chapter 2 Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), Section 8-2.03 Tax imposed in order to increase the maximum rate charged for TOT from 12% percent to up to 16%.
On November 3, 2026, the City Council considered the proposed ballot measure and gave further direction to staff on the language to be included in the ballot measure title. This item provides Council the opportunity to finalize the measure, identify authors for arguments for the ballot measure, direct the City Attorney’s Office to prepare an impartial analysis, and to assign a letter designation for the ballot measure.
BACKGROUND
At the November 3, 2026 Council meeting, staff provided a presentation that reviewed prior Council discussions and actions related to a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase, shared the Redondo Beach rate in its current context, including neighboring cities with TOT increases on the November 3, 2026 ballot, and shared considerations regarding the proposed TOT rate and structure and ballot measure wording. Council directed staff to return at the November 10, 2026 meeting with changes to the ballot measure language discussed during the meeting and with information regarding the results of TOT measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
The Los Angeles County TOT measures proposing rate changes are shown below with results as of November 5, 2026. All are general measures requiring 50% plus one to pass.
In addition to the measures above involving rate changes, voters are on track to approve measures without rate changes but with other adjustments in Alhambra (Measure HT extending 12% rate to short-term lodging) and in Santa Monica (Measure TT providing Council the authority to apply the tax to long corporate stays during major events).
Council also discussed a ballot measure designation, identifying TOT or HT. The Resolutions attached to this report reflect Measure TOT.
Staff has prepared revised draft ballot language to reflect City Council discussion as shown below. Changes respond to the following direction:
• Highlight police and fire services
• Reference the date of last TOT increase
• Include reference to TOT rates in neighboring cities
The proposed language also incorporates recommendations from outside legal counsel to include the phrase “shall the measure” and to reference to the tax end date.
Proposed Ballot Measure Text (74 words):
To maintain critical City services such as police and fire 911 emergency response, street and pothole repair, park maintenance; and for general government use; shall the measure raising the City of Redondo Beach Transient Occupancy Tax rate, paid only by hotel guests, from 12%, last set in 2005, to no more than 16%, to better match area cities, providing an estimated $675,000 annually per 1% increase, and all funds staying local, effective July 1, 2027, until ended by voters, be adopted?
At this time, staff requests that the City Council consider and take action on the following:
• Review and/or revise the drafted Ballot Title question and make any amendments (limited to no more than 75 words); and
• Designate author(s) to write the argument(s) for in support of the Ballot Measure; and
• Confirm the proposed letter designation to the ballot measure; and
• Adopt the proposed Resolutions to be added to the March 2, 2027 General Municipal Election.
Arguments, Rebuttals, Impartial Analysis
Upon approval by the City Council of the Ballot Measure, the adopted Resolution will include deadlines and setting priorities pertaining to submittal of Arguments, Rebuttals, and directing the City Attorney to prepare an Impartial Analysis, pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 9280-9287, 9600, and 9601. The proposed deadlines are listed below:
• Arguments - Due by no later than Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Rebuttal Arguments - Due by no later than Friday, December 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Impartial Analysis - Due by no later than Friday, December 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Required forms will be available from the City Clerk’s Office and upon completion, will be filed by the deadline with the City Clerk in accordance with all the requirements.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney Office, City Treasurer Office, and the Financial Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Costs associated with the City’s General Municipal Election and Ballot Measure have been included in the Adopted Budget for FY 2026-27.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. CC-2611-090 - Adding Measure Related to TOT with Exhibit A
• Resolution No. CC-2611-091 - Arguments, Rebuttals, and Impartial Analyses