CITY OF ONTARIO MEASURE Q
Ontario residents enjoy services and facilities that few cities can rival. From first-rate fire and police departments, beautiful parks and recreational facilities, and senior and youth programs, the City’s services make Ontario an ideal place to live, work, and visit.
On November 8, 2022, Ontario residents will vote on the Measure Q, the City of Ontario Local Services Measure to consider additional local funding for infrastructure improvement projects as well as enhance City services and programs.
If approved by a majority of Ontario’s voters, Measure Q will take the City’s sales tax from the current rate of 7.75% to 8.75%, generating approximately $95 million per year in local revenue. All funds generated from the measure will be used to benefit Ontario residents and businesses, and are subject to annual financial audits – no money could be taken by the state, county, or other cities.
Potential Projects that Could be Funded
Ontario prides itself on being able to maintain its high level of service through fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. Despite having an operationally balanced budget, Ontario still faces challenges with its ability to fund infrastructure maintenance and enhancements.
The City has identified approximately $1.2 billion in unfunded infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects that, over time, will become more expensive to address.
The types of projects the City could complete within the next 10 years with the additional funding from Measure Q:
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Local Drinking Water & Flood Control $242 MILLION in improvements to our water and sewer systems. This includes $100 million in enhancements to our storm drain infrastructure, and a $100 million Advanced Water Purification Facility to reclaim more than 2.9 billion gallons of wastewater per year and to help Ontario withstand drought conditions. |
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Facts About Ontario's Sales Tax
Most of the 1¢ sales tax will be paid for by non-Ontario residents who shop at our local businesses and dine at our restaurants.
Neighboring cities — including Corona, Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino, Montclair, Claremont, and Pomona — have an 8.75% rate or higher to fund services such as public safety, infrastructure maintenance and community programs. Currently, the cities of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland have sales tax rates of 7.75%. The City of Upland has placed a similar measure on the November 2022 ballot to increase its sales tax rate to 8.75% to fund local services.
Revenue for Local Use
Currently, Ontario’s local sales tax is 7.75%, but the City only receives a small portion of the sales tax revenue generated with the majority of the revenue going to the State of California and the County of San Bernardino. If approved by voters, all revenue raised by Measure Q will stay in Ontario and cannot be taken by the state, county, or other agencies.
TAX BREAKDOWN - How much Ontario Receives
Accountability Provisions
Measure Q includes accountability provisions, such as public disclosure of all spending and annual financial audits, ensuring that funds from this measure will be used to benefit Ontario residents and businesses.
DOWNLOADABLE FILES
Ontario Local Services Measure Q Fact Sheet - ENGLISH
Ontario Local Services Measure Q Fact Sheet - SPANISH
City Attorney's Impartial Analysis
How Measure Q Will Appear on Your Ballot
Questions? Contact Us!
We will continue to engage all community members about Measure Q and the impacts on City services if voters approve the measure. Please continue visiting this page for more information about this measure and the November 8, 2022, election.
If you have question about the steps we’re taking to secure Ontario’s future, or if you’d like a presentation to your organization, please feel free to contact our Communications and Community Relations Director Dan Bell at (909) 395-2400, or fill out our CONTACT US form below!