# Needles (local, San Bernardino County)

URL: https://www.californiapeople.org/local/needles

- title: Needles
- type: city
- jurisdiction: City of Needles
- region: Colorado River

## Key findings
- **Three measures.** Measure L is an **$11.2M bond** for streets, parks and downtown (about **$60 per $100K** of assessed value, needs two-thirds). Measure K raises the hotel tax from **10% to 14%** in steps. Measure D raises council pay from **$1 a month to $150**. [^1]
- **Measure L has the most safeguards on this ballot:** a separate account, a citizens' oversight body, and independent financial and performance audits sent to the State Auditor. [^1][^2]
- **Mayor:** incumbent **Janet Jernigan**, who signed the Yes argument for Measure L, faces **Jeff Williams**. [^3][^2]

## Measure L: $11.2M bond for streets, parks and downtown
**What it does:** Up to $11.2M in general obligation bonds, repaid by a property tax estimated at $60 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value). Uses: street repaving and potholes, sidewalks, parks (restrooms, irrigation, parking), safety improvements and downtown Main Street. **Can't pay salaries or operating costs.** The city treasurer reports every year. Needs **two-thirds**. [^1]

**Money and conflicts:** The only signer of the Yes argument is Mayor Jernigan. [^2]

**Does it solve a lasting problem?** It pays for one-time capital repairs, which is what bonds are for. It doesn't fund ongoing maintenance, and the analysis doesn't state how long the tax lasts.

## Measure K: Hotel tax from 10% to 14%
**What it does:** Raises the transient occupancy tax, paid by hotel and short-term-rental guests, to 12% in 2027, 13% in 2029 and 14% in 2030, adding about **$200K to $400K a year**. General fund, simple majority, no end date. [^1]

**Does it solve a lasting problem?** It shifts cost to visitors traveling on I-40 and Route 66. At 14% Needles would be on the high end for the region, which can matter for a stopover town that competes with Laughlin and Bullhead City across the river.

## Measure D: Council pay from $1 to $150 a month
**What it does:** Changes the city charter to pay each council member **$150 a month**, up from $1. Expense reimbursement doesn't change. Cost: about **$20,916 a year**. [^1]

**Does it solve a lasting problem?** $1 pay limits who can afford to serve. $150 is still far below the $465 to $700 a month that Twentynine Palms pays. [^4]

## Mayor
### Janet Jernigan (incumbent)
- Current mayor; signed the Yes argument for Measure L. [^3][^2]

### Jeff Williams
- I found no independent reporting on this candidate.

## City Council
Three seats, five candidates: incumbents **Henry Longbrake** and **Jamie McCorkle**, plus Wayne Colburn, Sandra Noble and Charles Dressler. [^5][^3] I found no independent reporting on these candidates.

## Sources
[^1]: City Attorney, Measure L impartial analysis. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofNeedles/30/IA_CityofNeedles.pdf
[^2]: Measure L argument in favor. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofNeedles/30/AIF_CityofNeedles.pdf
[^3]: GoodParty, Needles mayor candidates. https://goodparty.org/elections/ca/san-bernardino-county/needles/position/city-executive-mayor/candidates
[^4]: Desert Trumpet, Twentynine Palms council pay (2026). https://www.deserttrumpet.org/p/city-council-and-town-council-candidates
[^5]: SB County Sentinel, mayoral and council match-ups (Aug 7, 2026). https://sbcsentinel.com/2026/08/more-clarity-on-november-mayoral-and-city-council-match-ups/
[^6]: City Attorney, Measure K impartial analysis. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofNeedles/27/IA_CityofNeedles.pdf
[^7]: City Attorney, Measure D impartial analysis. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofNeedles/29/IA_CityofNeedles.pdf
[^8]: GoodParty, Needles council candidates. https://goodparty.org/elections/ca/san-bernardino-county/needles/position/city-legislature/candidates