The Herculean Task of Replacing Measure J While the idea of growing the economy to replace Measure J’s revenue was frequently suggested, it is an unrealistic solution given market constraints. El Cajon’s local economy actually outperforms many other cities in San Diego County already, but the standard share of sales tax the City receives is not enough to cover the services demanded. This is primarily because the City receives a significantly smaller share of property tax revenue compared to neighboring cities and shoulders more regional responsibilities, making it difficult to cover the funding gap through economic growth alone. City Manager Graham Mitchell explained that replacing Measure J’s $13.5 million in revenue would require $1.3 billion in new annual retail sales. This is equivalent to adding six new Costco stores, 17 Home Depot locations, or 27 Target stores within El Cajon—a feat that is not feasible given the City’s current consumer base and available land for development. Picture adding six Costcos, 17 Home Depots, or 27 Targets to the City—an impossible feat in the required timeframe or property.
The Broader Context: Learning from Neighbors El Cajon is not alone in this fiscal approach. Many cities in San Diego County rely on additional sales tax measures to fund services:
• Chula Vista, Del Mar, National City, Solana Beach: 1¢ sales tax
• La Mesa : ¾¢ sales tax
• Oceanside, Vista: ½¢ sales tax
For more information or to share your thoughts, contact City Manager Graham Mitchell at citymanager@elcajon.gov. Your voice matters in this critical decision. Opportunity for Voters to Decide On August 6, 2024, after weighing options and conducting town halls and several information gathering polls, the City Council decided to let the voters determine whether to continue the current 1/2 cent sale tax measure or reduce public safety and other services. This decision underscores the importance of community input in shaping El Cajon’s future. Further, Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove, San Diego, San Marcos, and Santee are all considering various sales tax measures this November. This trend underscores the necessity of such measures for maintaining public safety and essential services. By continuing Measure J, El Cajon remains competitive and capable of meeting its residents’ needs. Taxpayer Oversight After careful and critical review of the City’s finances and spending, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association ® found Measure J as a responsible investment for the residents of El Cajon.
Graham Mitchell Highlights the El Cajon Town Halls
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