City of Ontario Measure H — Transactions and Use Tax (San Bernardino County)

What it does

To maintain fire, paramedic, police, 911 response, anti-gang programs; respond to property crimes, thefts, burglaries; clean and maintain public areas; repair streets/potholes; address homelessness; increase access to affordable housing for seniors/families/individuals; retain/attract local businesses; for general City services; shall the measure establishing a half-cent sales tax providing approximately $32,500,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits, spending disclosure, funds locally controlled, be adopted?

A YES vote means

Ontario would set a half-cent sales tax providing about $32,500,000 a year for public safety, streets, homelessness, affordable housing and other city services until ended by voters.

A NO vote means

Ontario would not set this half-cent sales tax.

What it would cost

0.5% sales tax: $0.50 on a $100 taxable purchase.

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

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

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 Ontario City Council voted on August 7, 2026 to place Measure H on the ballot (Resolution No. 2026-136), with Mayor Leon and Council Members Bowman, Porada and Macias voting yes and Council Member Wapner absent, according to the resolution and the City Attorney's impartial analysis.

According to the analysis, the measure would add a half-cent (1/2%) general sales tax, estimated to raise $32,500,000 a year for the General Fund, collected starting April 1, 2027 until repealed by voters.

As a general tax, revenue could be used for any lawful city purpose; a simple majority is required.

Put on the ballot by Ontario City Council, August 7, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-136; 4 yes, 1 absent).

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 Chino Hills Measure J — Transactions and Use Tax
• City of Needles Measure K — Transient Occupancy 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 Ontario Measure H mean?

Ontario would set a half-cent sales tax providing about $32,500,000 a year for public safety, streets, homelessness, affordable housing and other city services until ended by voters.

What does a NO vote on City of Ontario Measure H mean?

Ontario would not set this half-cent sales tax.

How many votes does City of Ontario Measure H 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 Ontario Measure H?

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.