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Measure Q implementation begins: board staff to seat oversight panel, draft vision plan and start grants program design
Summary
After voters approved Measure Q in November, county staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on near-term steps: assemble a nine-member Citizens Oversight Advisory Board, draft a vision/implementation plan, and stand up grant and county program elements to begin spending when tax revenue starts in late 2025.
The Board of Supervisors received an update on Measure Q implementation and approved the next steps for standing up the Citizens Oversight Advisory Board (COAB), drafting a county vision plan, and designing a grants program for projects that protect open space, drinking water, wildlife, reduce wildfire risk and expand equitable access to parks and natural areas.
Measure Q is a voter-approved parcel tax that is expected to generate roughly $7.5 million annually once collections begin in the 2025–26 fiscal year. County staff explained how funds will be allocated across categories set by the measure: direct city allocations, a county program, a partner program (including a land stewardship partner), and a discretionary grants program that will fund multi-benefit projects; $600,000 was identified in the measure for Pajaro watershed projects and another $600,000 related to the San Vicente Redwoods area.
The board approved a staff recommendation to open the nomination window for COAB candidates and return appointments to the board for approval. Staff said the COAB will be a nine-member panel (five county appointees, four appointed by cities) and will advise on a vision plan, prioritize projects and recommend a land-stewardship implementation partner. County parks and OR3 (Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience) will provide administrative support and will work with the COAB on a public-engagement process aimed at producing a vision plan for board approval by July 1, 2025, if feasible.
Director Jeff Gaffney of County Parks outlined the plan for disbursing funds to cities and for a county-managed grants program that will set aside a portion of revenues for multi-benefit grants, while county staff noted the first property-tax distributions will arrive in December 2025 and the county may appropriate expected revenues in its FY 2025–26 budget so projects can be launched as soon as funds are available.
The board asked staff to coordinate appointments and asked for a one-page summary of nominations and candidate expertise ahead of the appointment meetings so supervisors can confirm the COAB will have a balanced mix of technical knowledge and community representation. Staff agreed to return to the board with recommended administrative staffing, grant criteria and draft vision-plan engagement goals.
