Carson Community Survey Shows Support for Continuing Existing Utility User’s Tax to Sustain City Services

A recent community survey conducted by the City of Carson concluded that more than 65% of the community supports maintaining city services by continuing the city’s Utility User’s Tax or UUT. The City of Carson will consider a measure to place on the November 2022 General Municipal Election ballot to continue the existing UUT. The measure, if sent to the voters and approved, would continue the existing UUT of 2% (no tax increase) until such time it is ended by the voters.

Mayor Davis-Holmes and Mayor Pro Tem Jawane Hilton have been serving on the Utility Users Tax ad hoc committee to review options for funding community needs. As part of that effort, the city engaged a public opinion research firm to evaluate community concerns and sentiments on funding sources to address those concerns.

Carson’s utility service providers (e.g., Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas) collect the 2% UUT from Carson residents and businesses, then remit funds to the City of Carson. Businesses currently pay a majority of this tax; senior citizens and low-income households are exempt from the UUT. UUT revenue becomes part of the city’s general fund, which the city can use for a variety of general services, such as sheriff and park safety patrols, senior and youth services, and parks and street maintenance programs.

In June, the city council will begin a discussion about whether to add a measure to the November 2022 ballot. Council will make their final decision before Aug. 12, which is the deadline to submit the measure to the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters Office in order for it to be on the November 2022 ballot for consideration by the voters.

Details: Utility User’s Tax and exemptions; 310-952-1740 or e-mail at pio@carsonca.gov.