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With Measure Y set to expire, Soledad officials discuss extension strategy and voter thresholds
Summary
Council and staff discussed Measure Y revenue (about $2.3M projected) and the risk its 2032 expiration poses to public safety and capital projects; staff urged education, early planning and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions in light of a possible state initiative to raise local tax thresholds.
City staff and council members used the June 12 budget workshop to highlight the importance of Measure Y—Soledad’s local sales tax measure—and to begin laying groundwork for future outreach and potential extension efforts.
Mike Howard said Measure Y currently represents roughly 16% of the city’s general fund revenue and that the FY2024–25 projection is nearly $2.4 million. He warned the measure will expire in 2032 and that council should begin early community education and planning to avoid a sudden loss of critical revenue. "You remember one thing tonight, Measure Y is expiring," Howard said, urging advance preparations and noting that it can take about nine months to prepare a ballot measure campaign.
A new state ballot initiative under discussion at the time would, if enacted, change local tax rules to require a two‑thirds voter threshold for local tax increases (excluding school districts), which would raise the bar for extensions. Howard and council members discussed starting outreach and possibly budgeting for a public information campaign to explain Measure Y’s uses and benefits well in advance of any ballot placement.
Staff also previewed coordination possibilities with the county and neighboring cities: several jurisdictions are exploring sales tax or parcel tax measures, and staff recommended strategic coordination of timing to avoid ballot fatigue and to increase chances for passage.
What’s next: staff will include Measure Y outreach planning in future budget and goal‑setting sessions and will return with options and cost estimates for education campaigns and, if the council directs, a formal extension strategy.
