Costa Mesa · issues

Civic issues

Topics getting the most attention in Costa Mesa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.

2 issues (filtered)15 topics

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All topics General Parks Rec Development Governance Public Safety Taxes Budget Budget Business Jobs Zoning Environment Roads Transportation

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CriticalTaxes Budget

Business License Tax Reform

Costa Mesa hasn't updated its business license tax since 1985, meaning large corporations pay the same flat $200 fee as small shops. The city is considering switching to a sliding scale based on gross receipts to fund essential public safety and infrastructure without hurting small local businesses.

5 mentionsLast discussed Jul 22, 2026

CriticalTaxes Budget

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget

The city adopted a $245.9 million overall budget that balances revenues and expenditures without raising taxes or tapping reserves, though council members raised concerns about police overtime assumptions and vacancy savings.

5 mentionsLast discussed Jun 2, 2026