A utility users tax increase in Hercules has been approved by an overwhelmingly margin.
The Contra Costa County Elections Office reported Measure A received 2,009 "yes" votes (70.7 percent) to 832 "no" votes (29.3 percent).
That was with mail-in ballots counted and all five precincts reporting. In all, 2,841 votes were counted. That was a 23 percent turnout of Hercules' 12, 239 registered voters.
Measure A will hike the utility user tax from 6 percent to 8 percent for the next five years. It also will add the 8 percent tax to cable television bills and other video technology.
Last month, city officials drew up two budgets for next fiscal year. One was a $12.9 million version if Measure A was approved. The other was a $12.2 million plan if the measure was not approved.
The $12.2 million proposal called for the disbanding of the Hercules Police Department. Under that scenario, the city would have contracted with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services.
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