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Measure K

On this page you will find information about Measure K: A local sales tax ballot measure proposed in Weed for November 2026

What is Measure K?

Measure K was referred to the ballot by the Weed City Council. If approved by a majority of voters, it would establish a one and one-half percent (1.5%) transactions and use tax on taxable sales within the City, with revenue deposited into the City's General Fund. A “YES vote” approves the measure. A “NO vote” rejects the measure.

 

Background

The City of Weed is a small, full-service city that provides and maintains essential services and infrastructure for its residents, businesses and visitors. City services include 911 emergency services, fire protection and wildfire prevention, emergency medical response, police patrol and protection, building safety and inspection, streets, roads and sidewalks, snow removal, and the upkeep of City infrastructure.
Despite a population of approximately 2,700 residents, the City maintains 25 miles of roadway along with water and sewer systems of similar scale, and responds to approximately 20,000 police incidents and 800 fire responses each year, the majority of which are medical in nature.
Citing rising operating costs, an ongoing imbalance between revenues and expenditures, and long-deferred infrastructure needs, the Weed City Council referred Measure K to the November 2026 ballot for consideration by City voters. It is a General Tax to fund the City's General Fund, and is subject to a simple majority vote by the voters of Weed.

 

Key Facts About Measure K

  • Referred to the November 3, 2026 ballot by the Weed City Council on July 9, 2026, by a unanimous vote of 5-0, through Ordinance No. 493-2026 and Resolution No. 30-2026.
    The measure would establish a one and one-half percent (1.5%) transactions and use tax, commonly called a sales tax, on taxable sales within the City of Weed.
    The City's current sales tax rate is 7.50%. If the measure passes, the rate would be 9.00%.
  • The tax would be paid by anyone making a taxable purchase in Weed, including visitors and travelers passing through the City. Approximately 44% of the City's local sales tax revenue is generated at fuel and service stations — well above statewide averages — reflecting the City's location on Interstate 5 and regional pass-through activity. Certain items are exempt from sales tax under state law, including most groceries, prescriptions and many medical supplies, rent, utilities and services.
  • The measure is a general tax. Revenue would be deposited in the City's General Fund for general government purposes and could be used for any lawful City purpose. By law these funds would remain in Weed and could not be taken by the State or transferred to another agency.
  • City staff estimate the tax would generate approximately $1,700,000 annually.
    The measure has no expiration date. It would remain in effect until repealed by voters and would be subject to regular audits.
  • The tax would be collected and administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. It would become operative only if approved by voters, on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than 110 days after adoption of the ordinance.
  • Sales tax is the City's largest discretionary revenue source, currently generating approximately $1.3 million annually. More than one-third of the City's sales tax revenue comes from county and state pool allocations, which are redistributed by formula rather than from direct point-of-sale activity in the City, leaving Weed's revenue base less diversified and more dependent on outside economic conditions than many peer jurisdictions.

 

What service and infrastructure conditions is the City facing?

City staff presentations during community meetings in June 2026 identified several continuing pressures on City operations:

  • Fire responses increased from 402 calls in 2023 to 812 calls in 2025, while volunteer participation has declined.
  • Current Police Department staffing does not provide continuous 24-hour police coverage every day of the year, and rural recruitment and retention remain difficult.
  • The City's fire station is more than 100 years old and is not owned by the City.
  • Approximately 15 of the City's 25 miles of roadway require repair, and significant portions of the roadway network have been rated fair to poor.
  • Portions of the sewer system date to the 1940s, the wastewater system is operating at or near capacity, and gaps remain in storm-drainage infrastructure.
  • Operating costs for personnel, insurance, equipment, construction, maintenance and regulatory compliance continue to increase.

The City has responded through grant funding, holding staffing vacancies, delayed maintenance, operational efficiencies and the use of one-time resources. These strategies have helped preserve services, but do not establish an ongoing revenue source for recurring operations and deferred infrastructure needs.

 

What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide?

“Shall a measure maintaining 911 emergency services, fire protection and wildfire prevention, emergency medical response; 24-hour police patrol/protection, building safety and inspection; streets, roads, sidewalks and City infrastructure; snow removal, and other general City services, long-term financial stability, by establishing a 1.5% sales tax providing approximately $1,700,000 annually until repealed by voters, subject to regular audits, be adopted?  YES  NO”

 

How could Measure K funds be used?

Measure K revenue would be deposited into the City's General Fund. Funds could be used to support services that include:

  • 911 emergency services and emergency medical response
  • Fire protection and wildfire prevention
  • 24-hour police patrol and protection
  • Building safety and inspection
  • Maintaining streets, roads, sidewalks and City infrastructure
  • Snow removal
  • Maintaining the City's long-term financial stability
  • Any other services and infrastructure maintained by the City's General Fund

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Measure K

How does Weed's sales tax rate compare to other cities?
The current sales tax rate in Weed is 7.50%, tied with Mount Shasta and just above the 7.25% rate that applies in the unincorporated areas of Siskiyou County. Dunsmuir charges 8.25% and Yreka charges 8.75%. If Measure K passes, the Weed rate would be 9.00%.

Will visitors pay the tax?
Anyone who makes a taxable purchase in Weed would pay the tax, including residents, visitors and travelers passing through. Because the City sits on Interstate 5, a substantial share of taxable sales is generated by non-residents: approximately 44% of the City's local sales tax revenue comes from fuel and service stations, well above statewide averages.

What is a transactions and use tax?
A transactions and use tax is a local sales tax adopted by a city and approved by its voters. It is added to the statewide sales tax rate and applies to taxable sales within the City's boundaries. It is collected by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and returned to the City.

What would the tax apply to?
The tax would apply to taxable retail sales within the City of Weed. State law exempts certain items from sales tax, including most groceries, prescriptions and many medical supplies, rent, items purchased with CalFresh benefits, services and utilities.

Will Measure K money remain in Weed?
Yes. Revenue from a locally approved transactions and use tax stays with the city that adopts it. By law it cannot be taken by the State or transferred to another agency.

How much revenue could Measure K generate?
City staff estimate the measure would generate approximately $1,700,000 annually. This is an estimate based on current taxable sales. Actual revenue would depend on economic conditions, taxable sales activity in future years, the operative date, and State administration and collection charges.

When would the tax start?
No revenue would be collected unless voters approve the ordinance. If approved, the tax becomes operative on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than 110 days after adoption of the ordinance, and the City must first contract with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to collect it.

Does the measure expire?
No. The ordinance has no expiration date. The tax would remain in effect until repealed by the voters in the future.

Is Measure K a general tax or a special tax?
Measure K is a general tax. Revenue would go into the City's General Fund and could be used for any lawful City purpose. A general tax requires approval by a majority of voters. A special tax, which legally restricts spending to specified purposes, requires two-thirds voter approval.

Does the measure include fiscal accountability requirements?
The ballot question states that the measure would be subject to regular audits. The City's financial records, including General Fund revenues and expenditures, are subject to annual independent audit and public reporting. The full text of the accountability provisions is contained in the ordinance and resolution listed under Key Documents.

How will Measure K funds be monitored?
General Fund revenue and expenditures are reported through the City's annual budget process and annual financial reporting, both of which are public. Budget hearings are held at noticed public meetings of the City Council.

Who decides how Measure K funds will be spent?
The Weed City Council would decide how the funds are spent through the City's public budget process. Because Measure K is a general tax, the ordinance does not approve a specific spending plan or legally earmark revenue for a particular department or project.

Who makes the final decision on Measure K?
Weed voters make the final decision at the election on November 3, 2026. The measure passes if approved by a majority of those voting on it. Only voters registered in the City of Weed are eligible to vote on Measure K.

Where can I get more information?
Visit the City of Weed website at https://ci.weed.ca.us, call the City Clerk's Office at 530-938-5020, or review the documents listed under Measure K Key Documents on this page. Information on voting and voter registration is available from the Siskiyou County Elections Department.

 

Measure K Key Documents

  • Ordinance No. 493-2026 — City of Weed Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance of 2026
  • Resolution No. 30-2026 — Resolution Placing the Transactions and Use Tax Measure on the November 3, 2026 Ballot
  • City Council Agenda Item Summary, July 9, 2026 — City of Weed Essential City Services Measure
  • Impartial Analysis by the City Attorney