Hanford voters approve 1% sales tax on essential services

Hanford voters approved Measure H, a 1% sales tax to fund essential city services.

For the first time in history, Hanford voters agreed to such a tax.

Overall picture: Needing a majority vote, Hanford voters came out in favor of the tax, with more than 60% voting in favor.

• Measure H would add to the 7.25% sales tax already imposed under state law.
• It is projected to bring more than $19 million to the city annually.
• The funding will help hire more police officers and firefighters. They will also go toward building a new public safety building, maintaining city parks and streets, combating homelessness and more.

What we’re watching: Measure H funds will begin flowing into the city’s coffers in July 2025.

What they say: Hanford City Manager Mario Cifuentes said the passage of Measure H is a testament to the faith and trust the community has in city staff.

• “For nearly a year, we have been educating the public about the city’s critical needs, from hiring more police officers and firefighters to maintaining our roads and parks,” Cifuentes said. “The public has clearly recognized these needs and is now providing us with the tools and resources to better deliver essential services and improve their overall quality of life. We look forward to working with the City Council to establish an Oversight Committee to ensure that all Measure H funding is spent according to the spending plan and with community involvement on the front lines.”
• Hanford Mayor Travis Paden added, “We, both the City and the Council, are extremely humbled that voters are trusting us with this 1% sales tax, and we are going to make them proud. We have a spending plan. We plan to follow this spending plan – for this Council and future Councils – for the next 10 years and beyond. This is a great day for the city of Hanford.”