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San Diego council resets Measure C timetable, creates citizens oversight committee for homelessness funds
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Summary
The City Council on Jan. 13 approved an ordinance resetting Measure C timelines after litigation delays and established a seven‑member citizens oversight committee to advise use of homelessness account revenues; the changes set the tax imposition to May 1, 2025, and spell out allocation and audit schedules.
San Diego City Treasurer Liz Correa told the City Council on Jan. 13 that a clarifying ordinance is needed to reset dates and deadlines in Measure C after years of litigation stalled implementation. Council adopted the ordinance and a companion measure to create a citizens oversight committee for the homelessness revenue account.
The ordinance updates the effective imposition date for the Measure C transient occupancy tax increase to May 1, 2025, Correa said, and resets the initial allocation and reporting schedules that voters approved in 2020. For the first 5½ years following the new imposition date the additional revenue will be allocated 41% to homelessness programs and 59% to the convention‑center revenue account; after Oct. 31, 2030, the share to homelessness programs drops to 31% with 10% directed to street repairs. Correa also reviewed the staggered schedules for five‑year implementation plans and the timetable for performance audits by the City Auditor’s Office.
"The clarifying ordinance is being introduced to reset various dates and timelines due to these delays," Correa said, summarizing the changes council members were asked to adopt.
The council heard brief public comment supporting timely implementation. Evan Strahan of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce said the chamber supported spending Measure C proceeds as voters intended "to modernize and expand the convention center, address homelessness, and improve our streets." An additional remote speaker urged caution about spending for homelessness but did not oppose the ordinance.
Separately, the council approved an ordinance to establish the Homelessness Revenue Account Citizens Oversight Committee as required by Measure C. Sarah Jarman, director of the Homelessness Strategies & Solutions Department, said the seven‑member advisory committee will include members with expertise in municipal finance, nonprofit management, business, philanthropic funding or lived experience, and will be supported by three ex officio members (the IBA, CFO and the department director or designees). The ordinance bars individuals representing organizations that could receive Measure C funds from serving on the committee to avoid conflicts of interest.
Councilmembers framed the actions as restoring voters’ intent while creating additional transparency and safeguards. Councilmember Campbell moved to adopt the staff recommendations; Councilmember Whitburn seconded and the council approved both the clarifying ordinance and the committee ordinance (roll calls recorded; measure adoption passed unanimously with absences noted on the record).
The mayor's office will make initial appointments to the oversight committee after the ordinance takes effect, staff said; the committee will review Measure C's long‑term strategy and the annual allocation plan linked to the department's five‑year financial outlook. The ordinance also sets deadlines for the first performance audits: the homelessness revenue account audit is scheduled to commence in fiscal year 2029, the convention center account audit in fiscal year 2030, and the street repairs account audit in fiscal year 2034.
The council’s action re‑starts implementation now that litigation has concluded; staff will prepare the detailed five‑year allocation plans and annual budgets described in the amended schedule.
