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Tehama County survey finds public safety tax could reach two-thirds after education but remains vulnerable to opposition
Summary
A county-commissioned survey showed initial support for a proposed 1¢ public-safety sales tax at 58%; support rose to 66% after education messages but fell to about 59% after a brief critical statement, indicating passage is possible but would require a strong outreach and education campaign.
Tehama County supervisors heard detailed polling results Feb. 3 showing a proposed 1¢ sales tax to fund fire, sheriff and emergency services polls at a level that could clear the two-thirds threshold only with sustained public education and turnout.
Consultants Joy Coomer of Team Civics and Sharon Pinkerton of FM3 Research said the dual-mode survey of 437 likely November 2026 voters produced an initial ‘yes’ of 58 percent. After respondents heard short education statements about rural patrols, 9-1-1 response times and independent oversight, support rose to 66 percent. When presented with a short critical message commonly used by opposition campaigns, support fell back to about 59 percent.
"Support does increase after education, which brings it closer to that two-thirds threshold," Pinkerton said during the presentation. She and Team Civics recommended a strong, sustained education and get-out-the-vote program and warned that an organized opposition campaign could reverse gains.
The survey tested specific priorities residents called ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important, including maintaining fire and EMT services, preventing fire-station closures, improving 9-1-1 response times and attracting and retaining qualified firefighters and sheriff deputies. The presenters reported more than 80 percent of respondents saw at least some need for more county funding for public services and public safety.
Polling intensity was uneven across supervisorial districts, the consultants said: one district showed roughly two-thirds support, while others ranged nearer to 55–60 percent, within the survey’s margin of error. Consultants cautioned that the survey’s margin of error (about ±5 percentage points for the full sample) means the post-education figure could plausibly fall below the two-thirds requirement in a real election without strong turnout.
County staff and several supervisors said the results offer actionable guidance for message testing and outreach. Team Civics noted the board must decide whether to pursue a county-placed measure or rely on an independent initiative committee; the presenters said many comparable measures have succeeded with coordinated independent campaigns and strong education efforts.
The consultants also reminded the board of the scheduling deadline: for a measure on the November ballot, supervisors would need to act by their July meeting to meet placement timelines.
The presentation and the full survey will be attached to meeting minutes and available to the public, county staff said.
