Title
Staff Report for Overview of Potential November 2018 Public Safety Parcel Tax Measure
Staffreport
BACKGROUND
In November 2010, San Leandro voters authorized Measure Z, a local 1/4-cent general sales tax revenue measure that was designed to temporarily stabilize the City budget in the midst of the Great Recession. Measure Z provided a reliable, voter-approved funding source for public safety and other essential City services for seven years. As Measure Z approached expiration, San Leandro voters authorized its extension at a half-cent rate for 30 years through passage of Measure HH in November 2014. The stated purpose of Measure HH was to preserve current City service levels for a range of public services, including public safety and anti-gang programs, library programs, services for children and youth, as well as various other general City programs and services. In conjunction with Alameda County Measure BB, Measure HH also provides significant financial support towards the City's ongoing street and road repair efforts.
While Measure HH has enabled the City to maintain existing service levels, the City continues to face a growing backlog of new and emerging needs that may not be sufficiently addressed through existing revenue sources. Such needs include major renovations to aging public safety infrastructure (e.g. police and fire protection facilities), deteriorating playground and park equipment in need of replacement, human services challenges related to the homeless and other at-risk and low-income community members, and community interest in enhanced artistic and cultural amenities.
Although local sales tax receipts in recent years have been robust, sales tax is an inherently volatile source of revenue that will generally rise and fall in direct correlation with broader regional economic cycles. Should the economy slow down or contract in future years, the City's revenue base could similarly face steep declines, thereby causing the need for futur...
Click here for full text