Chair advances $150 flat parcel tax concept to fund public education enrichment; committee sets follow‑up session

Chair Supervisor John Avalos proposed amendments to a previously drafted parcel tax so the measure would charge a flat $150 per parcel across the City and dedicate proceeds to the Public Education Enrichment Fund (the charter section cited in discussion). The City Attorney agreed to draft language that would make the tax operate "as long as the city is obliged to make the payments under that charter section," tying the tax's duration to the city’s charter obligation.

Roll call: On a roll‑call vote the committee adopted the flat $150 per‑parcel rate; the vote was 4 ayes and 1 no (Supervisor Chiu voted no). Chair Avalos clarified the amendment adopts a single flat parcel charge (not a per‑unit charge for multifamily units) and said the committee would hold a brief special Budget & Finance Committee meeting before the full Board to finalize wording and take any additional public comment.

Why it matters: Avalos framed the amendment as a way to shore up funding for the public schools’ enrichment fund amid looming state reductions to education funding and an ongoing city budget gap. The proposed shift in beneficiary (from Recreation & Park to the Public Education Enrichment Fund) and the choice of a flat parcel fee (no differentiation by land use or unit count) drew at least one supervisor’s equity concern about distribution of the tax burden.

Next steps: The City Attorney will produce the final draft to be circulated for committee and Board consideration; the committee scheduled a special July 28 meeting to take final input before the Board votes on whether to place the measure on the November ballot.