Measure Y oversight committee reports revenues, lists road and equipment projects funded

The Measure Y Citizens Oversight Committee presented a financial summary and examples of how the local half-percent transaction and use tax (Measure Y) has been spent since it took effect in April 2023.

Committee members said Measure Y collected roughly $558,000 for the remainder of FY 2022-23; $2.56 million was collected in FY 2023-24; and FY 2024-25 is forecast at about $2.51 million. Committee representatives said revenues filled a general-fund gap, supported critical pavement repairs (before-and-after photos were shown to council), covered public-safety equipment and funded new community programs.

Highlights the committee provided for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 expenses included pavement projects (examples shown: Rainy Del Mar and Grand Avenue), a $70,000 deposit on lease-purchase of a new fire engine to replace a 13-year-old apparatus and $140,000 to fund a mental-health clinician to support law-enforcement crisis response.

Committee chair Marjorie Davis and member David Griesbach said the committee will continue to review audits and provide public education about Measure Y spending and noted the tax is scheduled to expire in 2031 unless renewed. They summarized that Measure Y proceeds supported roads, public-safety equipment, a project manager position intended to reduce future consultant costs, a teen-space program and the reinstatement of a crime-prevention officer position.

Council thanked the oversight committee for its transparency and for tracking specific examples of Measure Y spending. No action was required of council on the oversight committee report.