policy
Victorville Shifts Sales Tax Millions to Police Overtime and Road Repairs
Victorville residents will see sales tax dollars shifted toward police overtime and street repairs on routes such as Seventh Street and Bear Valley Road beginning in July.
How we reported this
The Victorville City Council passed the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget ordinance on June 15, directing a larger share of local sales tax collections into the general fund for public safety and street maintenance. The change applies to all taxable purchases made inside city limits and affects the roughly 135,000 residents who live or shop in Victorville.
State law requires cities to adopt a balanced budget by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Victorville officials completed the document after reviewing revenue estimates from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and local cost projections for employee wages and fuel.
Daily costs and services for residents
Households that buy groceries, clothing or fuel in Victorville will continue to pay the existing sales tax rate, yet more of that revenue will now cover police and fire overtime rather than other programs. Road crews are scheduled to receive additional funds for asphalt repairs on Seventh Street and Bear Valley Road, locations identified in the city’s pavement management report as needing work this year.
City budget documents list the general fund at $142 million for the coming year, with public safety receiving 52 percent of that total. Local advocates note that the reallocation leaves less money for parks maintenance and code enforcement in neighborhoods north of the Mojave River.
Implementation timeline
Departments must submit spending plans to the finance office by July 15. Quarterly reports on actual sales tax receipts will be presented to the city council in October, January and April, allowing adjustments if revenue falls short of projections.
Property owners will see no immediate change to their property tax bills, which are set by San Bernardino County under Proposition 13 rules. The next opportunity for residents to comment on the allocation occurs at the council’s mid-year budget review in January 2027.