City of Needles Measure K — Transient Occupancy Tax (San Bernardino County)

What it does

CITY OF NEEDLES QUALITY OF LIFE AND ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES MEASURE. Shall the measure to maintain and improve quality of life by supporting local businesses and jobs; keeping public areas safe, clean, and well maintained; maintaining and improving streets, parks, and other public infrastructure; and funding other general City services, by increasing the City of Needles Transient Occupancy Tax paid primarily by hotel, motel, and short-term rental guests from 10% to 14% in phases, generating approximately $400,000 annually, with annual public disclosure and remaining in effect until ended by voters, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Needles' tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental guests would rise from 10% to 14% in phases, raising about $400,000 a year for general city services until ended by voters.

A NO vote means

Needles' tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental guests would stay at 10%.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Needles City Council placed this measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 2026-27, adopted July 14, 2026 by a 5-0 vote with Council Member McCorkle absent.

According to the City Attorney's impartial analysis, the city's 10% transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or less at hotels, motels, RV parks and short-term rentals would rise to 12% on January 1, 2027, 13% on January 1, 2029 and 14% on January 1, 2030.

The City estimates added revenue of about $200,000 a year from 2027, $300,000 from 2029 and $400,000 from 2030, as general revenue for any municipal purpose; a simple majority is required.

Put on the ballot by Needles City Council, 5-0 (1 absent), July 14, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-27).

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on San Bernardino County ballots

• City of Needles Measure D — Charter Amendment
• City of Highland Measure E — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Chino Measure F — Municipal Code Amendment
• City of Twentynine Palms Measure G — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Ontario Measure H — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Chino Hills Measure J — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Needles Measure L — Municipal Bonds
• City of Upland Measure M — Municipal Code Amendment
• City of Grand Terrace Measure N — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Colton Measure O — Municipal Code Amendment
• City of Adelanto Measure P — Transactions and Use Tax

All San Bernardino County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Needles Measure K mean?

Needles' tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental guests would rise from 10% to 14% in phases, raising about $400,000 a year for general city services until ended by voters.

What does a NO vote on City of Needles Measure K mean?

Needles' tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental guests would stay at 10%.

How many votes does City of Needles Measure K need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Needles Measure K?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.