Riverside voters reject Measure Z fire tax; three council seats head to runoffs

The Raincross Gazette: Riverside voters rejected Measure Z, the proposed sales-tax increase from 1% to 1.25% for fire staffing and stations, with No leading 58.66% to 41.34% in the count released early Wednesday. The measure was a general tax, so the money would have flowed to the general fund rather than a dedicated fire account — a structure opponents pointed to.

All three open council seats are headed for Nov. 3 runoffs. In Ward 2, Gracie Torres (36.90%) and Aram Ayra (32.24%) advanced. In Ward 4, incumbent Chuck Conder led at 48.05% — just shy of the majority needed to win outright — with Rich Vandenberg second. In Ward 6, left open by retiring three-term member Jim Perry, Luis Hernandez led at 47.18% over Oz Puerta. Counts cover vote-by-mail and early ballots only; the Registrar tallies through June 9, and leads can move.