Council discussion of entertainment tax item postponed to October

ANAHEIM, Calif.(Sept. 19, 2025) - Discussion of a potential entertainment tax ballot measure by Anaheim's City Council is being postponed from Tuesday until October.

The item, which is on the Council's meeting agenda for Tuesday as item No. 13, is being moved at the request of Council Member Rubalcava, who originally asked for a discussion of issues related to consideration of any potential entertainment tax.

A new date for discussing the topic hasn't been set yet but is expected in October.

Rubalcava, who represents District 3 in and around downtown Anaheim, said she "would like to work with city staff to gather additional information and data to ensure all policymakers have the comprehensive details necessary to make a thoughtful, well-informed decision on this important issue."

An entertainment tax proposal would call for a city levy on entertainment tickets and parking.

Anaheim does not currently have an entertainment tax but does collect most city revenue from a tax on hotel stays.

Discussion about an entertainment tax proposal is expected to look at Anaheim's current budget deficit of $64 million, the pending retirement of 1990s bonds to expand The Anaheim Resort, staffing costs and large projects among other items.

It would also look at tax issues in the lease for Angel Stadium of Anaheim and language in development agreements around Honda Center and Disneyland.

Any tax in Anaheim would need to be put before voters. The City Council can place an initiative before voters with a two-thirds majority vote of five members.

An entertainment tax proposal would have to go on the November 2026 general election.

If the City Council does not vote to place a proposal before voters, community groups can collect required signatures - about 20,000 registered Anaheim voters - and seek to go through the process of qualifying for the ballot.

That process generally takes about six months.

You can see the now-postponed agenda item here.

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