Lindsay says yes to 1 cent sales tax increase, allowing more city services

Voters in Lindsay have overwhelmingly approved Measure O, a proposed sales tax increase of 1 cent per dollar, raising the overall sales tax to 8.75 percent.

The increase is expected to raise an estimated $908,000 yearly that will be spent on public safety, infrastructure and general city services.

The city is expected to hire new police and code enforcement officers. The tax takes effect Oct. 1.

If it had not passed, there might have been cuts to city services.

To pass, Measure O needed voter approval of 50 percent plus one vote. The most recent tally released Thursday by the Tulare County registrar of voters showed 380 yes votes and 181 no votes, or 67.7 percent in favor.

The total vote count is unknown so far because mail ballots postmarked or time stamped on or before Election Day can be accepted up to three days later, and there’s a new provision for unsigned vote by mail ballots to be accepted within eight days if the voter is contacted, comes to the elections office and signs the envelope ballot statement.

Lindsay has a population of about 13,000, of which 2,789 are registered voters.

This story was originally published June 8, 2017 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Lindsay says yes to 1 cent sales tax increase, allowing more city services."