Voters in the city of San Diego and nine other local cities will decide this fall whether to enact or extend local sales tax increases. Here’s what you need to know about the measures — particularly the one in San Diego, known as Measure E. What would the measures do? Measure E would raise the city of San Diego’s sales tax rate from the lowest in the county at 7.75 percent to among the highest at 8.75 percent. It’s expected to generate about $400 million in annual revenue — a nearly 20 percent increase for the city’s general fund, which covers police, firefighting, parks, libraries and other services. The measure would need approval only from a simple majority of voters because the money wouldn’t be used for a specific purpose. That’s easier than the two-thirds requirement that has tripped up other local tax increase proposals. The same is true for a number of other local sales tax hikes that will appear on other San Diego County voters’ November ballots. Why is this on the ballot? Because local governments need the money. The city of San Diego has the lowest sales tax rate in the county, and among the lowest in the state. Other local cities have already approved sales tax hikes of their own. And many of them have hikes of their own on their ballots this November. Sales tax is currently 8.25 percent in Oceanside, El Cajon and Vista, where city voters have approved half-point increases. It’s 8.75 percent in Chula Vista, National City, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Imperial Beach, whose voters have all approved full-point increases. The base sales tax rate countywide is 7.75 percent, rather than the statewide 7.25 percent, because of a half-point charge voters approved decades ago to pay for transportation projects. Voters will also decide this fall on whether to raise that transportation tax by another half-cent. Who supports it, and why? San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo and Mayor Todd Gloria, who are spearheading the Measure E effort, say a sales tax hike could wipe out the city’s recurring budget deficits and generate enough money to pave roads and shore up crumbling infrastructure. They’ve suggested the city might sell bonds against the new revenue stream to raise hundreds of millions in immediate capital for such improvements. They also promise better emergency response times and flood prevention. Who opposes it, and why? The San Diego County Taxpayers Association, the most prominent local opponent of the measure, contends taxes are already too high. Critics note the new revenue would have no restrictions and could be spent on employee raises instead of infrastructure, and they say city officials lack the credibility to be given an extra $400 million a year, citing the Ash Street scandal. What about other local cities? San Diego is hardly the only local city considering a sales-tax hike this fall. Voters in Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove, San Marcos and Santee will all consider new local sales tax increases of their own. Like in San Diego, voters in Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove and San Marcos will all decide whether to raise their local sales tax by one full cent. Santee will consider a half-cent hike. In addition, voters in Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa and Oceanside will all weigh in on whether to renew their existing local levies. Chula Vista, El Cajon and Oceanside all currently have a half-cent local sales tax they’re asking voters to extend, while La Mesa has a local sales tax of three-quarters of a cent. Where can I read more? What will cost more if local sales tax hikes get approved? San Diego puts 1-cent sales tax on November ballot San Diego leaders want voters to raise the city’s sales tax in November. Here’s what that could mean 3 East County cities will decide in November whether to create or extend sales taxes There’s one big thing the transportation tax won’t do San Diego voters are split on tax measures, more worried about housing costs, poll finds Ballot logjam ahead? Public safety tax is floated for November in San Diego