Solana Beach voters appear poised to approve a 1% increase to the city's hotel and lodging tax, according to initial election results posted Tuesday night. Measure C would push the city's transient occupancy tax from 13% to 14%, and it applies only to guests staying at local hotels and short-term rentals rather than to Solana Beach residents directly.
The measure's apparent lead follows the City Council's 4-0 vote to place it on the ballot, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Deputy Mayor Jill MacDonald was absent from that vote and did not seek reelection this cycle. The newspaper's earlier reporting detailed how the council agreed in July to put the proposed tax hike before voters this November, with the increase projected by the city to generate approximately $250,000 each year, as the Union-Tribune reported at the time.
What the Tax Revenue Would Fund
According to the city, Measure C revenue would fund essential services and facilities in Solana Beach, including parks, beaches, trails and public restrooms. The measure also requires public spending reports and annual financial audits, a requirement echoed on a city webpage describing Measure C's accountability provisions.
A community survey was part of discussions around the ballot measure, the Union-Tribune reported in its earlier coverage of the measure's origins.
Taxpayer Group Raised Oversight Concerns
Not everyone welcomed the measure's design. The San Diego County Taxpayers Association opposed the tax increase, arguing its opposition rested on the measure's failure to include taxpayer-accountability safeguards. The group said the measure includes no sunset clause, no independent citizens' oversight, no maintenance-of-effort commitment, and no outcome-based performance metrics.
New Faces Join the City Council
Tuesday's election also settled two council seats without a fight, as the Solana Beach City Council District 2 and District 4 races were uncontested. Kristi Becker was seeking a third term representing District 2, while Jenna Wolfe-Dellamano was a candidate for District 4. MacDonald was not seeking reelection.
The election was part of the broader November 3, 2026, Gubernatorial General Election overseen by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Solana Beach's results reflect only the initial count released Tuesday night, and the measure's ultimate fate will depend on the final tally.
