An updated sales tax revenue forecast for Measure M (also known as OC Go) indicates that projections dropped slightly compared to last year’s forecast. OC Go is the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements renewed by voters in 2006.
MuniServices, which provides OCTA with short-term sales tax forecasts, foresees less revenue than previously anticipated due to the continued shift to online sales and the slower growth of new auto sales and construction. Chapman University, UCLA, and Cal State University Fullerton, which provide OCTA with long-term forecasts, also foresee less revenue than previously anticipated because of lower inflation, payroll job growth and population growth, and higher migration outside of Orange County.
The newly forecasted revenue is expected to be $13.1 billion over the next 30 years, a drop from last year’s forecast of $13.5 billion. Projects originally promised to voters will continue and the impacts of the decreased revenue will be considered and implemented within the OC Go Next Ten Delivery Plan update.
