Hanford voters have approved Measure H, the 1% sales tax to fund the city’s essential services.
This is the first time in history that Hanford voters have agreed to such a tax.
The big picture: Needing a majority vote, Hanford voters came out to support the tax with over 60% voting in favor.
- Measure H will add to the 7.25% sales tax already applied under state law.
- It is projected to bring in over $19 million to the city on an annual basis.
- Funding will support the hiring of more police officers and firefighters. It will also go toward building a new public safety building, maintaining city parks and streets, homelessness and more.
What we’re watching: Measure H funds will start heading into the city’s coffers in July 2025.
What they’re saying: Hanford City Manager Mario Cifuentez said passing Measure H is a testament to the community’s faith and trust in the city’s staff.
- “For nearly a year, we have educated the public about the City’s greatest needs, from hiring more police officers and firefighters to maintaining our roads and parks,” Cifuentez said. “The public clearly recognized those needs and is now giving us the tools and resources to better provide essential services and enhance their overall quality of life. We look forward to working with City Council to develop and Oversight Committee to ensure all Measure H funding is spent according to the expenditure plan and with community participation at the forefront.”
- Hanford Mayor Travis Paden added, “We’re just extremely humbled as a City and as a Council that the voters are entrusting us with this 1% sales tax and we’re going to make them proud. We have an expenditure plan. We plan to follow that expenditure plan – for this Council and future Councils – for the next 10 years and beyond. It’s a great day for the City of Hanford.”
