Santa Clara County voters will be asked to approve a five-eighths cent sales tax increase to protect the public hospital system from shattering under federal spending cuts.

The Board of Supervisors on Thursday voted unanimously to add the proposed tax to the Nov. 4 special election ballot, which will also ask voters to decide on a replacement for former county Assessor Larry Stone. The decision comes just one day before the deadline to submit ballot measures to county election officials. County leaders said they will explore creating an oversight committee to hold spending of the tax dollars to account.

“Whether it’s on a monthly basis or quarterly — it would be great to hear (updates) on a continuous basis so we can make sure we continue to build confidence in our community,” District 1

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