Posted on November 11, 2026
San Clemente voters have rejected a sales tax proposal aimed at protecting the city’s eroding beaches and reducing wildfire risks. Nearly two-thirds opposed Measure M, a potential 1 percent sales tax that would have generated about $15 million annually. The measure would have raised the city’s sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent, splitting revenue between beaches and inland hillsides. Beach funding would have gone mostly toward sand replenishment, while the remaining money would have supported wildfire prevention and resiliency. The dangers are already visible: waves routinely force closures along an important rail corridor connecting San Diego with California. Last month’s Norte Fire forced thousands of residents to evacuate and burned 7 homes in the area. Consistent local funding would also have supported long-term planning and helped secure grants that require matching municipal funds. There is no long-term sand or wildfire plan in place, and future replenishment farther north remains largely uncertain. This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority approved roughly 700,000 cubic yards of sand, mostly for the city’s southern rail corridor.
