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Victory of Measure CL to be certified by city council

The quarter-cent sales tax increase will go into effect on January 1, 2026, plus more from tonight's Culver City council meeting.

Culver City's special sales tax measure will be formally recognized tonight.

Culver City voters officially approved Measure CL in the August 26 special election, with the final count to be certified at tonight's city council meeting. The final vote count was streamed on Thursday, which confirmed the results that seemed apparent in the preliminary results.

With this, Culver City's sales tax will rise to 10.75%, the maximum currently allowed under California law. This tax — along with other local sales and use taxes — will not be applied to most food purchases at grocery stores, prescribed medication, property being delivered and used outside of Culver City, and other purchases exempt under California law.

If Los Angeles or LA Metro places a sales tax measure on a future ballot measure, Culver City residents will see it on their ballots, but sales in Culver City would be unaffected should that measure pass. Measure CL will go into effect at the beginning of 2026, the earliest possible moment allowable under state law.

A reverse scenario — where Culver City loses a path to generate significant revenue after another local body passes a sales tax increase — was the impetus behind this special election. While no formal plans have been proposed, both Los Angeles and LA Metro's budgets reflect a dire financial situation that could prompt action from one or both organizations in 2026.

While some residents were uncomfortable with the prospect of paying more taxes — particularly after decisions made by the council that came under fire by critics for being financially irresponsible — there was a strong push from officials and organizations across the city to get Measure CL approved.

Among those supporters were the five members of the City Council, who addressed some of these concerns and criticisms while lauding the importance of the measure throughout the election season. Following the release of the final results, several council members released statements expressing their satisfaction with the election's outcome.

"Opponents tried to brand this as the 'Puza Tax,' but voters saw through the politics and chose community and progress over fear," Vice Mayor Freddy Puza said in a press release celebrating Measure CL's victory.

"This won't solve all of our problems, but it puts us on solid footing and helps us build long-term stability," councilmember Bubba Fish said on social media following the release of the final tally.

The vote count reflects the unique and off-schedule nature of this election. While the last regularly scheduled election in 2024 saw a more than 80% voter turnout, this Special Mailed Ballot Election only saw 6,447 of the 29,453 registered voters in the city, or just over 22%, cast a ballot.

Read the full text of the Measure here. Click here to view the full results of the election.

New Zealand Olympic Team could call Culver City home

Discussions on Culver City's potential role in the 2028 LA Olympics will continue tonight.

Originally proposed several months ago, a potential New Zealand Fan Zone could be set up in the Downtown Area, with the Culver Hotel being used to house the family and guests of the New Zealand Olympic Team.

The current proposal features two large screens and programming throughout the Town Plaza and the Culver Steps. Discussions were had to potentially involve other countries, but the term sheet to be presented at tonight's meeting does not name other countries and gives the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) the responsibility to "lead and co-ordinate all programming and activation in the Town Plaza if other parties are interested in involvement."

Jubilo Village contribution to be formalized with commitment letter

The city council will look to approve a letter that outlines Culver City's commitment to a $16 million residual receipts loan to the Jubilo Village affordable housing project.

The project is an effort by developer Community Corporation of Santa Monica and landowner Culver-Palms United Methodist Church to build a 93-unit housing project with 100% of its units being considered affordable by state standards.

While the city, confusion about the number of vouchers the city could provide ballooned the cost to the city. Not wanting to lose the opportunity to add to the city's affordable housing stock, Vice Mayor Freddy Puza and councilmembers Bubba Fish and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin voted to provide the direct financial support to cover the shortfall created by the voucher confusion.