You might notice a slight increase on those local receipts as of Monday.
That’s because the county’s new 1 percent sales tax for road improvements went into effect Monday. Voters approved the 30-year tax as Measure G on the November ballot.
“Retailers should now be charging that additional 1 percent when you’re checking out,” said Mary Gilbert, executive director of the Council of San Benito Governments, which will oversee the repair projects over the next three decades.
Gilbert, who spoke at Tuesday’s county board meeting, said local retailers were notified by the state in February about the need to start charging that additional 1 percent starting April 1.
“Hopefully, everyone got that notice and they are working on that implementation,” Gilbert said.
Tax Collector Melinda Casillas noted in an email to San Benito Live said it will likely take a “few months” before the county receives any money because it is apportioned on the state’s schedule.
Casillas said the county Auditor’s Office, run by Joe Paul Gonalez, has already established the account where funds will go from Measure G and any earned interest.
Voters in November approved Measure G with 69.77 percent in support while needing 66.67 percent for approval. The measure is expected to generate nearly $500 million over the 30-year term.
With the additional 1 percent, the sales tax in Hollister is now 9.25 percent. It went to 8.25 percent in unincorporated areas and to 9 percent in San Juan Bautista.
