Although three incumbents are vying for Rancho Mirage City Council uncontested, residents still have a decision to make during the Nov. 3 election.
Councilmembers Steve Downs, Eve Fromberg Edelstein and Lynn Mallotto will be re-elected this November because no challengers are running against them. But Rancho Mirage voters will have a say in an unrelated matter: on whether to pass a ballot measure proposing a sales tax increase.
Measure R would establish a one cent sales tax that the city estimates would generate about $7.5 million annually for its general fund.
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What is Measure R and how did it come about?
The council unanimously approved adding Measure R to the November 2026 ballot due to rising costs of providing city services and budget limitations, according to Rancho Mirage’s website. Measure R revenue could be used for any lawful city purpose, such as services like road maintenance, local business retention, fire protection and emergency response.
How would Measure R change the city’s current sales tax?
Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells both currently have sales tax rates of 7.75%. If Measure R is approved, Rancho Mirage’s sales tax would become 8.75%.
Other Coachella Valley cities that have a 8.75% sales tax are Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, La Quinta and Palm Desert. Cathedral City and Palm Springs have a 9.25% sales tax.
Who pays the sales tax?
Any person who makes a taxable purchase in a city pays its sales tax. Rancho Mirage estimates that visitors pay around 75% of its sales tax revenue.
Will there be any oversight on how tax dollars are spent?
The measure would require Rancho Mirage to publicly disclose how it spends the revenue. The council would decide how to use Measure R funds during the city’s public budget process. The city's budget process also details general fund revenue and spending.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What's Measure R? Rancho Mirage voters to decide on sales tax measure
