El Camino Healthcare Term Limits Hit 92% as Gilroy Lifts Hotel Tax

Public healthcare board governance and municipal tourism taxation produced decisive voter mandates in Santa Clara County as Friday afternoon ballot tallies were updated on November 7, 2026.

El Camino Healthcare District Measure S Passes With 92% Support and $0 Campaign Spending

Out of more than 100 candidate races and ballot measures across Santa Clara County this November, Measure S in the El Camino Healthcare District passed in a landslide with 92% support as of 5:07 p.m. Friday—the largest vote share of any contested ballot item in the county. Founded in 1956 to oversee El Camino Hospital across Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, and portions of Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Palo Alto, the tax-funded district will now limit board members to serving no more than 4 full 4-year terms, or 16 years in total.

Remarkably, Measure S drew 0 formal opposition statements in the county voter guide and $0 in campaign spending on either side. Because the cap applies prospectively to terms beginning after December 1, 2026, it will not force any sitting director from office for at least the next 16 years. The measure reached the ballot after a 3-2 board vote in May in which directors John Zoglin (first elected in 2008) and George Ting dissented, though Ting stated at a June meeting that he did not recall opposing the measure and voted in favor of submitting the board’s formal argument backing it. Board member Julia Miller said the 92% tally reflected voters’ desire for fresh perspectives, while Santa Clara University assistant professor of political science Vivien Leung cited a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey showing 70% of California respondents favor 8-year term limits for county supervisors, sheriffs, and district attorneys.

Gilroy Voters Approve Measure B With 65% Support to Raise Hotel Tax to 11%

In South County, Gilroy voters approved Measure B with 65% support as of Friday, granting the City Council authority to increase the city’s transient occupancy tax (TOT) on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals from its current 9% rate—originally established at 5% in 1971 and raised to 9% in 1983—up to a maximum of 13%. City Administrator Matt Morley said the initial increase to 11% will take effect on January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $300,000 in annual general fund revenue, while any future council vote to reach the 13% cap would take effect 60 days after a public meeting and generate up to $700,000 annually.

Morley noted that an 11% rate keeps Gilroy competitive with neighboring Santa Clara County jurisdictions, where unincorporated county lodging is taxed at 10%, Morgan Hill is at 11%, San Jose recently rose to 12%, and Los Altos, Milpitas, and Palo Alto stand at 14%. Councilmember Terence Fugazzi, who championed the scaled tax structure after running for office in 2024, said the revenue will help fund 2 additional police officers. Comfort Inn Gilroy owner Ray Vasant urged the council to hold the rate at 11% rather than 13%, noting that a few dollars per night can determine whether travelers stop in Gilroy or drive 15 minutes farther along the highway corridor.