California City Voters Reject Public Safety Tax. What’s Next?

Voters in California City have rejected a special parcel tax measure that leaders said was necessary to maintain crucial city services — namely public safety. 

Measure B needed a two-thirds majority to pass on Tuesday. It received support from just over one-third of voters.

In a post on Facebook, Mayor Kelly Kulikoff said more drastic cuts will be needed to close a $4 million budget deficit. The mayor is proposing a reduction in city operational hours. More layoffs are likely coming as well.

The city recently got rid of its permanent fire chief, police chief, and city clerk to save money.

“We’re pretty much a city that’s teetering on the edge of bankruptcy,” Kulikoff told 23 ABC in April.