Santee Heads to the Polls Tuesday with Sales Tax and Council Seats at Stake
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Santee voters face three contested races Tuesday, and the headliner is Measure Y — a proposed one-percent general sales tax the city projects would generate approximately fourteen million dollars annually. The measure would add one dollar to every hundred dollars of taxable purchases, expire after ten years, and be subject to annual independent audits and a citizens' oversight committee. Passage requires a simple majority.
The ballot language identifies streets, storm drains, parks, traffic management, fire protection, paramedics, and emergency response as intended uses — but because Measure Y is structured as a general-purpose tax rather than a restricted one, the city council retains discretion over exactly how the revenue is allocated. That distinction is a real policy difference: proponents argue it provides flexibility to respond to changing needs; opponents of general taxes typically argue the structure lacks the binding accountability of a specifically dedicated fund.
Two council races also appear on the ballot. In District 1, incumbent Rob McNelis faces challenger Matthew Rascon. In District 2, incumbent Ronn Hall faces Eddie Vandiver. Only residents within each district vote in their respective race. Vote centers in Santee include Cajon Park School, Pride Academy at Prospect Avenue, Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Sycamore Canyon School — though voters should confirm operating hours through the county's official election website before heading out, as hours were not independently verified in the available reporting.
Out at Santee Lakes, a staff report from October 28th detailed the status of the Lake 5 renovation: staff are finalizing designs and specifications for West Lake 5 shoreline restoration with a goal of putting the project out to bid in November — making that bidding process imminent. The more extensive North Lake 5 renovation calls for replacing the existing amphitheater and bridge and adding ADA-accessible pathways. The same meeting packet outlined proposed 2027 fee increases for parking at Santee Lakes, tied to asphalt repairs and maintenance; weekday parking hasn't increased in ten years and weekend parking hasn't increased in three. The fee increases were presented as an informational agenda item and have not yet been formally adopted.