# Chino Hills (local, San Bernardino County)

URL: https://www.californiapeople.org/local/chino-hills

- title: Chino Hills
- type: city
- jurisdiction: City of Chino Hills
- region: West Valley

## Key findings
- **Measure J** is a permanent **1-cent sales tax** (7.75% → 8.75%), about **$11.5M a year** for the general fund. That's roughly a 19% boost to a $59.2M general fund. [^1][^2]
- **The city's case:** a projected **$4.3M deficit** this year, covered by reserves; reserves of about **$25M** that would run out in 3–5 years; a **$4.7M** yearly subsidy to the landscape and lighting districts; and a sheriff contract that went from **$18.3M to $21M**. [^2]
- **Opponents' case:** the city ended the last three years with surpluses, and its general fund balance is about **61% of spending**, more than three times the Government Finance Officers Association benchmark. [^3]
- The council commissioned a voter survey (FM3) on a tax but **didn't release the results**, since contracts under $50K don't need a council vote. [^2]
- **Mayor Brian Johsz and Councilman Peter Rogers face challengers.** Ray Marquez (District 1) is unopposed. [^4]

## Measure J: One-cent sales tax for the general fund
**What it does:** Adds 1% to the sales tax until voters repeal it; the council can suspend it. It's a general tax (simple majority) with no restriction on spending. The council lists police, wildfire prevention (more than 80% of the city is high fire risk), streets and parks. [^1][^2]

**Track record**
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| FY 2026-27 general fund | $59.2M in, $63.5M out (−$4.3M) |
| Unrestricted reserves | ~$25.4M |
| Landscape and lighting district subsidy | $4.7M a year |
| Sheriff contract | $18.3M → $21M |
| Measure J revenue | ~$11.5M a year |
[^2][^1]

**Money and conflicts:** All five council members signed the only Yes argument. Three No arguments were filed and the city clerk drew one by lot (Bill Shannon's), so the others, including one criticizing staff salaries, aren't in the voter guide. The council says **64% of the city's sales tax is paid by visitors**. [^3][^5]

**Does it solve a lasting problem?** The main structural gap is the landscape district: homeowners in some areas pay an assessment that no longer covers costs, and the general fund makes up the difference. Measure J would cover that gap with a citywide tax instead of fixing the assessment.

## Council District 2
### Peter Rogers (incumbent)
- Current council member; signed the Yes argument on Measure J. [^2]

### Shanita Ayala
- Challenger. I found no independent reporting on this candidate.

## Council District 4
### Brian Johsz (incumbent, current mayor)
- Appointed to the council in 2017 to replace Peter Graham, then elected; serves as the rotating mayor. Signed the Yes argument on Measure J. [^5][^2]

### Josue Estrada
- Challenger. I found no independent reporting on this candidate.

## Council District 1
### Ray Marquez (incumbent)
- Unopposed. He has said the city "tap[s] into the reserves every year." [^2]

## Sources
[^1]: County Counsel, Measure J impartial analysis. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofChinoHills/IA_ChinoHills.pdf
[^2]: Chino Champion, sales tax discussion (June 2026). https://www.championnewspapers.com/community_news/article_e1e3b780-3591-42ad-b249-fcc7c06f6052.html
[^3]: Chino Champion, ballot arguments drawn (Aug 22, 2026). https://www.championnewspapers.com/community_news/article_95e053df-08e7-41e4-8d0e-1d963a08df1b.html
[^4]: Chino Champion, candidates file (Aug 15, 2026). https://www.championnewspapers.com/community_news/article_6c34ad71-9977-4430-ab4f-755a31860602.html
[^5]: SB County Sentinel, Johsz appointed (Aug 2017). https://sbcsentinel.com/2017/08/chino-hills-solons-settle-on-johsz-as-council-replacement-for-graham/
[^6]: Measure J argument against. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofChinoHills/AA_ChinoHills.pdf
[^7]: Chino Champion, council agrees to agenda tax (June 13, 2026). https://www.championnewspapers.com/community_news/article_ebba2bbf-ddf0-410b-b5b7-ea6609aa11ec.html
[^8]: SB County Sentinel, anti-tax argument dropped (Aug 2026). https://sbcsentinel.com/2026/08/chino-hills-officials-jettison-anti-taxballot-argument-that-decries-high-city-staff-salaries/