Costa Mesa is changing. If you’ve driven down Harbor Boulevard lately or tried to find parking near South Coast Plaza during the holidays, you already know the vibe is shifting. It’s not just the traffic. Between massive new development projects and some pretty serious talk at City Hall about raising taxes, the City of the Arts is hitting a bit of a crossroads in early 2026.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. One day you’re hearing about the OC Fair’s new theme, and the next, you’re reading about the city council mulling over a hotel tax hike. It’s local government in action—kinda messy, definitely expensive, but pretty vital if you live or work here.
The Tax Talk: Why Costa Mesa News is Buzzing About Your Wallet
The biggest headline right now? The city is looking for cash. Even though Costa Mesa managed to balance its budget this year without raiding the "rainy day" reserves, the outlook for the next few years is looking a bit lean. We're talking about a $3 million hit to the general fund revenues.
To fix this, the City Council is basically looking at the November 2026 ballot. They recently voted 4-2 to start researching two big tax measures.
- The Hotel Bed Tax (TOT): They want to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax. Mayor John Stephens has been pretty vocal about this, arguing that the city hasn't updated these rates in a decade. The logic is simple: tax the visitors, not the locals. Councilman Manuel Chavez pointed out that Costa Mesa is currently "below market" compared to other OC cities.
- Business License Tax: This one is a tougher sell. It hasn't been touched in about 40 years. While some officials think it's long overdue, others, like Mike Buley, are worried it might actually scare businesses away.
The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce is playing it cool for now. Their CEO, David Haithcock, basically said they’re open to the hotel tax because it keeps the city competitive, but they’re keeping a very close eye on the business license side of things. Nobody wants to see their favorite local spot close because the city fees got too high.
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Your Adventure Awaits at the 2026 OC Fair
On a much lighter note, the OC Fair & Event Center just dropped the theme for the 136th annual fair: "Your Adventure Awaits!" It’s scheduled to run from July 17 through August 16. It’s 23 days of deep-fried everything, livestock, and those carnival games that are way harder than they look. They’ve already started selling tickets for the Pacific Amphitheatre summer lineup. If you’re into reggae or country, they’ve got Iration and Midland on the books.
What's actually interesting this year is how much they’re leaning into "exploration." They’re trying to mix the classic stuff—like the baby pigs and the Ferris wheel—with more "discovery" style exhibits. If you missed Winter Fest OC (which just wrapped up on January 4), the Fair is basically the next big thing on the calendar that brings the whole county to our backyard.
South Coast Plaza and the "Resort 2026" Vibe
If you follow City of Costa Mesa news for the luxury updates, South Coast Plaza is currently in its "refresh and reimagine" phase. They just welcomed a ton of high-end names like Harry Winston, Skims, and a first-of-its-kind Zara Man boutique.
The big talk in the fashion wings right now is the "Resort 2026" collections. Think Tom Ford and Saint Laurent. It’s a reminder that while the rest of the world might be dealing with a January chill, Costa Mesa’s retail engine is already thinking about summer glam.
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Real Talk on Safety and Crime
We have to talk about the "Police Scorecard" and the latest crime stats because it’s a frequent topic of conversation in local Facebook groups.
According to the latest data from the Public Policy Institute of California and local reports, Orange County generally has the lowest violent crime rate in Southern California. But Costa Mesa is a bit of an outlier when it comes to property crime. Our property crime rate sits around 3,557 per 100,000 people.
Before you panic—most of that is driven by the retail centers and the nightlife. It’s shoplifting and car break-ins, not residential burglaries. In fact, residential break-ins are down about 10% from pre-pandemic levels. Most of the violent crime we do see is localized between people who know each other, rather than random acts.
The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has also been under the microscope lately. A recent "Police Scorecard" gave the department a 60% overall score. While they scored high on "Police Violence" metrics (meaning less use of force compared to other departments), they hit a low 33% on "Accountability," specifically regarding how civilian complaints are handled. It's a point of friction that the city is going to have to address as we head into the 2026 election cycle.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Elections
Speaking of the election, the 2026 race is already starting to take shape. This November, voters will be electing council members for Districts 3, 4, and 5, plus a Mayor for a two-year term.
We’ve already seen candidate intention statements from people like Jose L. Toscano, James Peters, and Loren Gameros for the Mayor's seat. For the council seats, names like Cara Stewart (District 3) and Steve Smith (District 5) are already in the mix. If you care about how that tax money is spent or how the police department is managed, this is the race to watch.
Actionable Steps for Costa Mesa Residents
- Review the Agendas: The City Council meets regularly (the next big one is January 20). You can check the agendas on the city's website to see exactly what they're saying about those tax measures.
- Public Workshops: If you're worried about traffic, there’s a Safe Routes to School workshop on January 15. It’s a great way to get your voice heard without just shouting into the void of social media.
- Fair Tickets: If you’re a regular at the OC Fair, look for the "Every Day Passports" going on sale this April. They usually sell out fast and are the only way to avoid the per-day ticket hassle.
- Historical Society: The Costa Mesa Historical Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. They have a board installation and speaker program on January 11 at the Norma Hertzog Community Center. It’s a good way to learn about the city’s "Goat Hill" roots before everything becomes high-rise condos.
Costa Mesa is definitely in a period of growth and "re-evaluating its value," as the politicians like to say. Whether that results in better services or just higher bills remains to be seen.