Adelanto’s business license tax hasn’t been updated in 36 years and no longer reflects the city’s economic landscape, according to Adelanto city officials.
Measure R classifies businesses into five categories and taxes them based on their gross receipts. A “yes” vote would improve essential city services and protects public safety with local funding that can’t be taken away by the state or county.
With 100% of the precinct votes accounted for after Election Day, Measure R passed with flying colors. 63% of voters voted yes and 37% voted no.
What are the benefits?
According to measure authors Gabriel Reyes, Daniel Ramos, Joy Jeannette, Bartola Del Villar, and Ammie Hines, San Bernardino County has taken millions in local revenue away from Adelanto.
Voting yes on Measure R improves essential city services and protects public safety servants. The funds allocated in the measure are specific to Adelanto and cannot be taken away by the state or county.
Measure R will help keep the local sheriff substation open 24/7 to support emergency 911 calls. It will support crime prevention and neighborhood safety, as well as replace aging infrastructure, including drinking water pipes.
The measure will also improve street conditions, attract and retain businesses, and increase job opportunities. All funds of Measure R must be spent locally for programs and services.
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What is Measure R?
The aim of Measure R is to create a system that aligns contributions with business revenue, city officials said. The existing flat-rate tax structure of the city’s current business license tax only generates $70,000 annually from over 1,200 businesses.
Adelanto contracted with HdL Companies to undertake a study that would modernize Adelanto business tax structure compared to other cities in California.
HdL compared Adelanto’s current structure with other similar jurisdictions and proposed a simplified business license tax structure, reducing the current 57 categories to five.
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The city hopes that this updated tax code will modernize Adelanto’s revenue collection and support the city’s growth. City officials anticipate that through Measure R revenue will increase by roughly $1,200,000. That money will go into the city’s General Fund.
McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached atmmobley@gannett.com.
