“Pacific Grove tax measure”

 Monterey Herald – Aug. 9, 2026

If Pacific Grove voters are being asked to approve a sales tax increase this November, they should be allowed to read the ordinance they are being asked to adopt.

Unfortunately, Mayor Nick Smith and two councilmembers voted to withhold the full text of the proposed ordinance from the voter information guide. In the end, a majority of the City Council disagreed and voted to include it.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the cost of printing the additional pages. In reality, each additional page costs only six cents per registered voter.

The issue was never the cost of a few additional pages. It was whether voters should be permitted to read the law they are being asked to approve.

The City Council’s own adopted core values state: “We promote transparent engagement with citizens and stakeholders.” Ensuring that voters receive the complete text of the law they are being asked to approve is entirely consistent with that commitment.

Whether one supports or opposes the proposed sales tax increase is beside the point. Voters deserve the opportunity to read the ordinance before casting their ballots.

— Luke Coletti, Pacific Grove