TO: CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 26, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
RECEIVE POLLING RESULTS FROM FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES (FM3) REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
On March 10, 2026, the City Council directed staff to enter into an agreement with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to conduct research and polling consulting services regarding the placement of a local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
While the majority of likely voters that were surveyed believe that the City is heading in the right direction and have a favorable opinion of the City of Claremont government overall, polling results did not indicate that there is strong support for a local sales and use tax measure at this time. Accordingly, staff does not recommend that the City Council move forward with placing a local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Receive an overview of polling results from Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3);
B. Appropriate $37,750 from unassigned General Fund balance to fund the agreement with FM3; and
C. Opt not to place a sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. The City Council may direct staff to place a local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. To meet election-related deadlines, staff would plan to include this item on the agenda for the City Council’s June 9, 2026 meeting.
B. Take no action.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
On March 10, 2026, the City Council directed staff to enter into an agreement with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) in the amount of $37,750 to conduct research and polling consulting services regarding the placement of a potential local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Staff recommends the appropriation of $37,750 from the City’s unassigned General Fund balance to fund the agreement with FM3. FM3’s contracted Scope of Work included conducting a 20-minute dual-mode survey in English and Spanish, online and by telephone, among a random sample of 350-400 City of Claremont registered voters likely to vote in the November 2026 General Election. Following survey completion, FM3 provided the final survey questionnaire as well as a key findings analysis of survey results, which will be presented during the May 26 City Council meeting.
The City’s current sales and use tax rate is 9.75 percent and is estimated to yield approximately 10.4 million in General Fund revenue in 2026-27. A one cent sales tax measure is estimated to yield an additional $6.7 million in annual General Fund revenue. This additional revenue could be used to enhance several of the priorities and objectives that have been identified by the community and the City Council, including park and facility improvements, enhanced maintenance of City infrastructure, and new/expanded programming. If ultimately approved by Claremont voters in November 2026, the effective date of the proposed sales and use tax would be April 1, 2027, with the first monthly advances received in June 2027.
Should the City Council opt to move forward with a ballot measure, the cost would be significant. Using the estimation tool on the County’s website, the projected County elections cost for a local sales and use tax ballot measure on the November 2026 ballot is $110,988.57.
Additionally, staff time would be required for public education and outreach, as well as associated administrative and coordination efforts. Since polling results did not indicate that there is strong support for a local sales and use tax measure at this time, staff is not recommending that the City Council move forward with placing a local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
The staff cost to prepare this report and manage the contract with FM3 is estimated at $3,000 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
On March 10, 2026, the City Council directed staff to enter into an agreement with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to conduct research and polling consulting services regarding the placement of a potential local sales and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. FM3 is a reputable research firm that helps California cities, counties, and special districts objectively evaluate the viability of passing local ballot measures to secure additional revenue.
FM3 interviewed 413 likely Claremont voters between April 25 and May 3, 2026. Surveys were completed via telephone and online response forms, and the survey was available in English and Spanish. Survey links were personalized so that they could not be shared or duplicated. During the survey, respondents were read a hypothetical ballot measure and asked how likely they were to support the measure at face value. Respondents then received education on how the measure could benefit Claremont residents, and were again asked how likely they were to support the measure. Lastly, respondents heard critical statements opposing the hypothetical measure and were asked one final time how likely they were to support the measure. An overview of the results can be found in the table below. It is important to note that the margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent.
|
|
Initial Vote |
Vote After Education |
Vote After Critical Statements |
|
“Yes” Votes |
47% |
53% |
46% |
|
“No” Votes |
43% |
38% |
44% |
|
Undecided |
9% |
8% |
10% |
Note: Not all results will sum to 100% due to rounding.
Based on the polling, even at the height of support, only 53% of voters would support the measure, which is inside the margin of error of the majority vote threshold needed for passage. As such, FM3 advised that a possible general 1-cent sales tax measure does not appear to be viable for the November 2026 election.
During the May 26, 2026 City Council meeting, FM3 will present a more detailed overview of its findings.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, Economic Sustainability Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Katie Wand
City Manager Deputy City Manager