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El Dorado Sales Tax Program
Renewing the El Dorado One Cent Sales Tax
A question will be on the ballot for the General Election in November 2023 to decide if El Dorado's One Cent Sales Tax should be renewed, with some changes. This chart shows how much will be allocated to each of the funds if the tax is approved.
The 2023 Sales Tax Ballot Question will propose the following:
- $1.65 million will be designated for property tax reduction, reducing property tax by approximately 17 mills.
- $700,000 will be allocated to streets (an increase of $100,000 over the current tax).
- The remainder will go to Excess Sales Tax Projects, for which projects will be recommended by the Excess Sales Tax Committee and voted on by the City Commission.
- The tax also would be made continuous, which eliminates the need for an election every five years. The tax could still be changed in the future through a ballot question. This allows for future planning for long-term planning.
- February 7, 2023 - Sales Tax Survey Begins
- March 6, 2023 - Commission appoints Sales Tax Committee; Members are: Members include: Matt Jacobs, Jordan Buxton, Heather Rinkenbaugh, John Steinbacher, David Sundgren, Craig Hamilton, Brett Remsberg, Lori Gioso, Ross Stumpf, Edward Wilson and Scott Leason
- March- June - Committee Meets
- June 19, 2023 - Committee recommendation to City Commission
- July 17, 2023 - Commission votes on ballot question (this is the deadline to be on the November ballot but a decision could be made sooner)
- November 7, 2023 - General election with sales tax question on ballot
- 2023 Sales Tax Committee Meeting 3-27-23 (PDF)
- Sales Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3-27-23 (PDF)
- 2023 Sales Tax Committee Meeting 4-10-23 (PDF)
- Sales Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 4-10-23 (PDF)
- Sales Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 5-8-23 (PDF)
- Sales Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 6-12-23 (PDF)
- 2023 Sales Tax Survey Results (PDF)
Current El Dorado Sales Tax
The City of El Dorado has voted in favor of a one-cent sales tax since 1989. The current sales tax began October 1, 2019 and ends September 30, 2024.
Currently, City Ordinance G-1281 states:
- $1,650,000 is allocated to property tax reduction, the equivalent of approximately 17.5 mills
- $600,000 is allocated to street rehabilitation, including $500,000 for the city's annual mill and overlay program and $100,000 for minor street maintenance such as crack sealing and pothole patching
- $100,000 is allocated to economic development for various projects and initiatives
- Funds in excess of $2.35 million are allocated to the Excess Sales Tax program for capital projects approved by the City Commission
Each City Commissioner nominates one individual, the Mayor nominates two individuals and the Planning Commission nominates one individual within the city to the Excess Sales Tax Committee. The committee makes recommendations for the use of excess sales tax and submits them to the City Commission for consideration.
Per Ordinance, the excess sales tax can be used for additional street rehabilitation and capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are described as "an addition or structure that enhances the value of a property, a replacement or upgrade that extends the life of an asset or equipment acquisition." Street rehabilitation is described as "maintaining and rehabilitating the existing geometrical alignment of improved city streets, which included portions of curb and gutter removal and replacement, mill and overlays, pavement replacement, and pavement related to storm drainage facilities."