Measure S

• On July 20, 2020, the City Council authorized that Measure S be placed on the November 2020 ballot to keep in place the revenue stream Measure Q, which was approved by 74% of San Pablo voters in 2012.  The County assigned the letter "S" to the Measure that will be placed on the November 2020 ballot; however, Measure S is simply a "re-enactment" (continuation) of Measure Q funding for another 10 years.  
• What are San Pablo voters being asked to vote on?
• Measure S is  a not a new tax; rather it is a continuation of an existing sales tax that was authorized by 74% of San Pablo voters in 2012.  At that time it was called Measure Q.   
• Specifically, the passage of Measure S will cause this sales tax to revert back to a 1/2-cent (total rate of 8.75%) for 5 years...then be reduced by 1/4-cent (to a total rate of 8.5%) for the next 5 years...after 10 years, the temporary sales tax will be TERMINATED (eliminated).  Measure S will not increase local taxes beyond what was originally approved as Measure Q.  

• The decision to place Measure S on the local ballot followed a process in which the City’s voters were surveyed about their priorities and the Citizen's Oversight Committee from Measure Q (comprised of community leaders), who monitor the expenditures from this revenue stream to ensure that the funds are spent as promised, discussed priorities and ultimately recommended that Measure S be placed on the November 2020 ballot.
• The City decided to meet its needs with a sales tax, instead of some other funding mechanism, for the following reasons: 
  • This sales tax provides funding that cannot be seized (taken away) by the State.  Thus, Measure S revenues will remain in San Pablo to benefit local residents.
  • This tax is paid by non-City residents in addition to City residents; thus, money is brought into the community from people who reside outside the community to benefit San Pablo residents.  For example, commuters who purchase gas, frequent local restaurants, and shop in San Pablo will be helping to fund services for San Pablo residents.
  • The tax is not paid on such life necessities as food (groceries) or medicine purchases.

• To date, the Measure Q revenue stream has generated approximately $8.4 million from June 2012 through June 30, 2019.  These monies have been used for public safety programs (such as the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program and Priority Oriented Policing); for job creation, job training and job placement for local residents (especially for local youth and disenfranchised); to fund local school-based programs and services that focus on supporting academics; mental health; childhood obesity prevention programs; and to support other city services designed to enhance the quality of life for all San Pablo residents.

• The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a huge negative impact (loss of approximately $17 million) on the City’s General Fund. Specifically, due to Shelter-in-Place mandate, income from Measure Q funding has decreased by more than one third to date.  Fiscal analysis indicates that the financial loss to the City's General Fund could be as much as 50% for the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2021.
• As seen in the graphic below, the level of a series of major types of crime in San Pablo has gone down by 25% from 2004-2019. 

• As in the past 10 years, a Citizen's Oversight Committee, comprised of five community leaders, will monitor expenditures to ensure that Measure S funds are spent as promised; assuming Measure S passes, of course. Further, as in the past, annual audits will be conducted and made public. In fact, these steps are required throughout the duration of the tax by Ordinance, which is available on the City’s website.
• As we continue to address the fiscal challenges facing the City of San Pablo, we will work hard to keep you informed of City Actions.  Please visit the City’s website or contact the City Manager (contact information below).

For further information, contact: 

Matt Rodriguez, City Manager

13831 San Pablo Avenue

San Pablo,  California 94806

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(510) 215-3000 City Hall