Local Funding
City of Santee
On June 24, 2026, the Santee City Council adopted the City's Fiscal Year 2026–27 Operating Budget of approximately $72 million (excluding the Capital Improvement Program), maintaining a 22% General Fund Reserve consistent with Council policy and adding no new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Since incorporating in 1980 with a population of 47,080, Santee has grown to serve more than 60,000 residents across approximately 16.7 square miles with a workforce of 166 full-time employees. The City maintains and operates public infrastructure and services including: fire stations, public facilities, parks, streets, traffic signals, street lights, stormwater facilities, bridges and other community assets. While the adopted operating budget is balanced, it does not provide funding for a number of projects identified in the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the City's five-year roadmap for planning and prioritizing infrastructure projects, helping determine which improvements to streets, parks, public facilities, and storm drains can be completed with available funding.
At the same meeting, the City Council voted to place a 1% general sales tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved by Santee voters, the measure is projected to generate approximately $14 million annually to support local City services and infrastructure.
Through community outreach and City Council discussions, residents identified the following priorities:
Repairing streets, potholes and improving traffic flow.
Upgrading aging fire stations and constructing new stations to support emergency response.
Keeping streets, sidewalks, parks and public facilities safe, clean and well maintained.
Repairing and replacing aging underground storm drain infrastructure to help reduce the risk of flooding and sinkholes.
Santee has never adopted a local sales tax measure since incorporating in 1980; the City receives only the standard 1% share of the current 7.75% rate. For example, the current sales tax on a $100 taxable purchase is $7.75. Of that amount, $1 is allocated to the City of Santee, while the remaining $6.75 is distributed to the State, county, regional transportation, and other regional funds.
Over the last 46 years, the community has grown, increasing demands on roads, emergency services, emergency response times, traffic signals, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure. Portions of the City's storm drain system were installed more than 50 years ago and require repair and maintenance to help reduce the risk of flooding, sinkholes and damage to streets and neighborhoods. Only one permanent fire station has been added since 1964, when the area that later became the City of Santee had a population of approximately 11,000 and was served by the Santee Fire Protection District. Multiple infrastructure studies and planning documents presented to City Council and the public have identified proposed infrastructure improvements and repairs, many of which are not currently funded.
To pass, this measure must receive a simple majority vote by Santee voters (50% + 1). It would add $1 of local sales tax to a $100 purchase of taxable items. Groceries, prescription medicine and diapers are exempt from the tax. The measure would remain in effect for 10 years and would require annual independent financial audits and the establishment of an independent citizens' oversight committee.