Here are the NO arguments printed in the voter guide:
Argument Against Measure E:
A TEMPORARY TAX SHOULD STAY TEMPORARY.
In 2008, Oxnard voters approved a temporary 0.5% sales tax increase. In 2020, voters approved an additional 1.5% increase, raising Oxnard's sales tax to 9.25%--the highest in Ventura County.
Now Oxnard City Hall wants to make the temporary 2008 tax permanent.
The City's audited financial reports show General Fund revenue increased from $155 million in 2020 to approximately $275 million in 2025-a 77% increase, or roughly $120 million more each year.
Has your family's income increased by 77%?
During that same period, City spending on employee salaries and pensions also increased. According to Transparent California, hundreds of Oxnard employees receive total compensation exceeding $200,000 per year.
Supporters will argue the City needs the approximately $20 million this tax generates each year. Yet even if this temporary tax expires, the City would still collect roughly $100 million more annually than it did in 2020.
Oxnard's challenge isn't a lack of revenue-it's spending taxpayer dollars wisely.
The City's budget grew by 77%. Family budgets haven't.
Oxnard families are already paying more for housing, groceries, gasoline, and everyday necessities. They shouldn't be forced to permanently pay the highest sales tax in Ventura County as well.
Cities throughout Ventura County provide essential services without imposing Oxnard's exceptionally high sales tax. In fact, six of the other nine cities charge only 7.25%. The answer isn't extending an old tax increase forever-it's spending dollars more responsibly.
Oxnard City Hall has substantially more revenue than it did five years ago. Before making a temporary tax permanent, it should prove to taxpayers it can spend existing revenue wisely and as effectively as lower-tax cities.
A temporary tax should stay temporary.
Join your neighbors, community leaders, and elected officials in voting No on Measure E.
Learn more: www.NoOnOxnardMeasureE.com
Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure E:
Vote NO on Measure E to stop a temporary tax from becoming a PERMANENT burden on Oxnard families.
Supporters claim Oxnard City Hall is "squeezed," but audited financial reports prove that City revenues have never been greater. Since 2020, Oxnard's General Fund EXPLODED from $155 million to $275 million-a staggering 77% increase. This massive $120 million annual windfall vastly outpaces inflation, while local families pinch pennies to survive.
Do not fall for cheap scare tactics. To manipulate your vote, supporters threaten cuts to 911 responses, senior meals, and youth programs. Threatening essential services is political "HOSTAGE-TAKING" to shield administrative bloat and six-figure salaries.
Even without this tax, financial experts tell us that a $255 million General Fund is more than enough. City Hall claims a $20 million drop will cripple operations, yet they are funding LUXURY vanity projects. City Management proposes a $68 million swimming pool complex that balloons past $100 million with debt and interest-fully taxpayer-funded. This single luxury project consumes five full years of this tax revenue!
Oxnard residents already endure a 9.25% sales tax -- the HIGHEST in Ventura County. Meanwhile, six cities in the county provide exceptional public services and clean streets on just 7.25%. Even Ventura -- also a "full-service" city -- funds its independent operations at a lower tax rate.
Oxnard has a SPENDING problem, not a revenue problem.
Voters were promised a firm expiration date. A temporary tax must stay TEMPORARY. Join local financial experts and your neighbors in demanding real accountability.
Vote NO on Measure E.
Paid for by Starr Coalition for Moving Oxnard Forward Opposing Measure E. FPPC ID 1379154.