Atascadero council approves 2024 Measure D20 annual report, highlights public-safety spending

The Atascadero City Council unanimously approved the 2024 Measure D20 annual report on a motion by Council member Funk and a second by Council member Peake.

Measure D20 is the city’s one‑percent transactions and use tax approved by voters in November 2020 to generate local revenue for core services. Administrative Services Director Geri Rangel presented the report and said, “Measure D20 revenue for last year was 6,500,000.0, which is 150,000 higher than it was in the prior year and 42,000 more than it was budgeted.”

The nut of the report: the measure’s receipts are deposited into the general fund and have been used to hire police and fire personnel, replace aging equipment such as patrol vehicles and a 911 dispatch system, and advance public‑safety facility work. Rangel told the council that the city has used D20 funds to move forward on the replacement of Fire Station 1 and renovations at Fire Station 2 and the police station, and that staff proposes using D20 to pay related soft costs and bond payments. She said the annual report will be mailed to property owners and posted on the city website if approved.

Council members also discussed how the report’s revenue graphs are displayed. Council member Phoong asked about a vertical-axis choice that she said made modest revenue gains look larger; staff offered alternate chart options. Phoong said the alternate that begins the axis lower “shows a less drastic increase,” and council consensus favored a clearer axis that does not exaggerate growth.

Council debate also touched on wording describing Fire Station 2. Several council members pressed staff to avoid language that could raise liability concerns while still conveying that the station does not meet current standards. Council member Funk said the staff phrase “outdated and insufficient” captured the point without unnecessary detail. City Attorney guidance on liability and the Brown Act limited how far the council could dwell on specifics during the meeting.

The annual report also notes community‑cleanliness work funded by D20: during 2024 staff removed more than 48 tons of debris from encampments, the report says. Rangel told the council the city’s financial statements, which include Measure D20 activity, were audited and found to be fairly presented and compliant.

Votes at a glance: the consent calendar was approved earlier in the meeting on a motion by Council member Funk and second by the Mayor Pro Tem; the council then approved the Measure D20 2024 annual report on a motion by Council member Funk and a second by Council member Peake. The roll calls for both motions were recorded as unanimous.