The city of Ceres appears to be moving to placing a sales tax increase measure on an upcoming ballot – perhaps this November.

Last year the city commissioned a survey to determine what residents’ concerns are about the state of crime and services and weigh that against a possible tax hike. The survey was conducted June 14-24, 2025 by FM3 Research and the Lew Edwards Group before gas prices dramatically increased.

According to a summary posted on the city’s website of a survey of 311 registered voters, 62 percent appear to favor a one-cent sales tax increase while 32 percent appear to be opposed.

Those surveyed were asked their level of support or opposition based on the language of this proposed 75-word ballot measure: “CERES EMERGENCY RESPONSE, COMMUNITY SAFETY, STREET REPAIRS MEASURE. Shall the ordinance to hire/ retain qualified police officers; maintain firefighter/ paramedic/911 emergency response/traffic safety services; repair streets/potholes; clear encampments/ address homelessness; improve parks/playgrounds; maintain youth recreation, senior programs and other General Fund services by establishing a 1¢ sales tax providing approximately $9,400,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring independent audits, public spending disclosure, all funds used locally, be adopted?”

Raising the current sales tax rate in Ceres from 8.375 percent to 9.375 percent would make it the highest in the county. Shoppers in Modesto pay a sales tax of 8.875 percent while those in Hughson, Riverbank, Waterford, Newman and Patterson pay 7.87 percent.

On Monday the City Council approved a budget that is essentially balanced after cutting expenses and delaying payments.

“Like many small cities across California, Ceres faces a challenging economic environment, including making nearly $5.6 million in cuts to address the City’s budget deficit, amidst increasingly limited support from the state,” said interim City Manager Steve Williams in a prepared press statement. “The city’s focus is on protecting our quality of life and the most essential city services in light of these devastating cuts. That’s why we’ve collected input from hundreds of residents on their essential needs.”

Williams said the city is nearing the end of evaluating approaches to continuous budget deficits. He said “if the City Council chooses to allow voters to consider this issue, it is the community that would have the opportunity to weigh in on this matter to address our local needs, priorities, and remain self-reliant.”

The survey found that women are more likely to support a tax hike measure (64 percent) than men (59 percent); and that registered Democrats were 67 percent in favor while 52 percent of Republicans would approve and 41 percent disapprove. Independents are in the middle at 64 percent.

Of the “yes” respondents, 20 percent said they would “probably” support a tax increase and 38 percent said they “definitely” would support it. Four percent were undecided and leaning “yes.”

Of the “no” camps, 27 percent are “definitely” opposed while four percent are “probably” opposed with two percent undecided but leaning to vote no.

Six percent of those surveyed were in the undecided camp.

Ironically when those were surveyed about top concerns facing Ceres, inflation and the cost of living ranked higher above concerns about homelessness, crime and deteriorating street conditions.

Councilman James Casey, also a local businessman, said he opposes any sales tax increase in Ceres and suggested the city is waiting for his departure at year’s end to take a vote to place the matter on the ballot. He said the consultant advised the city that that not having a unanimous council vote to proceed could negatively affect chances for approval.

Casey also feels that Measure H funds are “being misappropriated.”

Measure H was the half-cent sales tax measure passed in November 2007 dedicated specifically to improving public safety services in the city. It specifically was to supplant the existing public safety funding, and not simply reduce its regular police and fire budgets and substitute Measure H revenue. Voters were told Measure H would allow the city to create a Street Crimes Unit to head off gang crime. However, it has since been dissolved.