Kingsburg Measure E committee accepts FY25-26 spending plan; chiefs outline equipment, staffing and renewal timeline

The Kingsburg Measure E Citizens Oversight Committee on May 19 accepted the Measure E fiscal year 2025–26 spending plan after presentations from city police and fire chiefs on how the 1% public safety sales tax has been used and will be allocated in the coming year.

City Manager Alex Henderson told the committee that "Measure E is a 1% public safety sales tax that was approved by 72% of voters," and that revenue has exceeded original estimates: staff now anticipate about $2,600,000 in Measure E receipts for the current year and said the city has received more than $14,000,000 since the tax began. Henderson reminded the committee that Measure E took effect Oct. 1, 2018, and as written in the ballot language it will expire on Sept. 30, 2028, unless extended; he said the City Council has given direction to pursue placing a renewal on the ballot for the June 2, 2026 election while accepting additional input on terms such as whether to maintain a sunset clause.

Why it matters: Measure E funds directly pay for sworn positions, equipment and training in the police and fire departments; changes to the measure or its expiration would affect staffing levels and capital plans tied to that revenue stream.

Police presentation

Chief Neil Dadey said the department completed its rollout of body-worn and dash-mounted cameras this year and is in year two of a five-year subscription for the system. Using Measure E funds the department purchased three vehicles this fiscal year, drawing on about $180,000 in carryover funds. Dadey outlined other Measure E‑funded items: safety equipment (ballistic vests, helmets, restraints), a Tas er 10 subscription, ongoing specialty and leadership training, and digital-evidence and investigative training.

He told the committee nine full-time positions are currently funded in whole or in part by Measure E: two police lieutenants, one police sergeant and five police officers (with portions of several support positions in finance also charged to Measure E). For FY25–26 the department reduced the number of police officer positions funded by Measure E from five to four because personnel costs rose and revenue has plateaued, leaving the department funding 8.25 positions from the Measure E fund overall and reducing sworn staffing from 30 to 29 sworn positions citywide.

Dadey said the department continues a partnership with the school districts in which the districts pay the full cost of a school resource officer while the city provides vehicle, equipment and other operating costs.

Fire presentation

Fire Chief Rodney Roberts outlined Measure E expenditures for fire operations, saying the department allocates funding to three fire captains, one apparatus engineer, a part-time administrative assistant and portions of accounting staff. Roberts said the department spent about $45,000 on extrication tools and communications this year and is purchasing a new fire engine currently being finalized by the manufacturer in Nebraska; he said many specifications and final inspections were completed by department personnel.

Roberts described recurring capital needs paid from Measure E, including PPE (turnout gear), hose replacement, PPE testing and contracted services such as ImageTrend, the department's reporting software used for patient care records and state/federal reporting. He said rising prices and longer manufacturer lead times for fire engines require multi-year planning and noted some apparatus contracts include price escalation clauses.

Committee action and votes at a glance

- Motion to approve the meeting agenda — moved and seconded; committee voted in favor (ayes). Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve minutes from the May 2024 regular meeting as presented by City Clerk Abigail Palmsgaard — moved and seconded; committee voted in favor (ayes). Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve/accept the Measure E FY25–26 spending plan (staff report) — moved and seconded; committee voted in favor (ayes). Outcome: approved.

All three motions were announced approved on voice votes with no opposition recorded in the transcript.

Details and clarifications from staff

- Revenue: Henderson said Measure E originally was estimated to generate about $1,000,000 annually; staff now project about $2,600,000 for the current year and reported roughly $14,000,000 received since inception (cash receipts only). - Measure duration: Measure E went into effect Oct. 1, 2018, with a 10‑year sunset in the original ballot language; without extension it is scheduled to expire Sept. 30, 2028. - Staffing: Police reported five Measure E‑funded officer positions in FY24–25 dropping to four funded officers in FY25–26 due to costs; police also identified portions of finance staff and the police chief's salary charged to Measure E (quarter of chief's salary, 50% of an Account Clerk 2 and 17% of an accountant shared across departments). - Capital and subscriptions: Police reported year 3 of 5 for the camera subscriptions with capital outlay ~ $75,000 planned; training budget was reduced from ~$50,000 to $40,000 for FY25–26. Fire identified communications and ImageTrend reporting software costs (~$45,000 listed), PPE testing ($15,000) and ongoing hose replacement. - Fire engine procurement: The new engine is built out of state and Roberts said department staff completed a final inspection; engine prices cited in discussion ranged from about $1.2 million for standard engines to $1.6–2.0 million for ladder apparatus, and lead times can be multi-year.

Next steps

City staff said the City Council is considering whether to place a Measure E renewal on the June 2, 2026 ballot and is still accepting input, including whether to include another sunset clause. The committee adjourned after the budget acceptance.