San Diego officials send tax hike to November ballot, abandon stormwater measure

Driving the news: The Council unanimously put a measure on the ballot that would increase the city's sales tax by a penny — to 8.75% — and bring in about $400 million a year for general city spending.

Between the lines: Because the revenue is not marked for a specific purpose, the measure needs only a majority of voter support to win — if it was dedicated to road improvements, for instance, it would require approval of two-thirds of voters.

• City staff's presentation, though, emphasized the need for $9.25 billion over the next five years to address streets, sidewalks and more.

By the numbers: City officials told the council that a May poll of 400 voters indicated 58% support for the tax measure.

Catch up quick: Days after January's catastrophic floods Council President Sean Elo-Rivera pledged to put up a parcel tax to fund repairs to a stormwater system that has been in disrepair for years.

• Elo-Rivera abandoned that push Friday, because of changes to state legislation that severely diminished its likelihood of success.
• All voters in the county will also consider a half-cent sales tax increase for public transportation and highway projects.