Countywide : 7 More Councils OK Tax Measure for Ballot

Seven city councils have endorsed the idea of a ballot measure for a half-cent sales tax increase to pay for rail and road improvements, clearing the way for a final approval expected from the Orange County Transportation Commission next month.

The ballot measure required approval from councils representing a majority of the county’s population. In addition to the votes cast Tuesday night by the seven councils, 10 other cities had earlier approved the plan. Together, the 17 councils represent more than 1 million people.

The County Board of Supervisors passed the plan last month. Costa Mesa is the only city to reject the sales tax. Overall, the vote from elected city officials has been 84 to 8.

The Transportation Commission, which identified the list of projects to be financed by tax revenue, is expected to vote on the ballot measure by July 24. If passed, the commission will have to decide whether the measure should be placed on the ballot this November or next June.

Officials say the sales tax would generate about $3.1 billion over the next 20 years to fund the widening of the Santa Ana Freeway, the addition of car-pool lanes to four other freeways, light-rail commuter trains and local road repairs and improvements.