Yucaipa council backs placing county Measure I continuation on November ballot

Staff described the Measure I sales tax (a half‑percent sales tax) and three county revenue streams it supports (local Measure I for street maintenance and bike lanes, a freeway interchange fund for projects such as the Wildwood Interchange, and arterial funds for capacity projects). Fermin told the council that SBCTA is proposing a continuation of Measure I beyond its 2040 expiration and that the draft expenditure plan, if ultimately approved countywide, would allocate funds by percentage across subareas and could generate an estimated $7.5 billion over 30 years.

Fermin emphasized the continuation maintains the existing half‑cent rate and therefore is framed in the materials as not an increase. He recommended the council adopt a resolution supporting inclusion of the measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; Councilmember Thorpe moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑08. Councilmember Judy Woolsey, who serves on relevant regional boards, confirmed the continuation is not a tax increase and recommended approval. The council approved the resolution by voice vote.

The resolution does not itself adopt the county expenditure plan; it registers the city's approval and support for the plan to be forwarded to SBCTA and, if enough jurisdictions approve, be placed on the November ballot.

Attribution: Staff comments are attributed to Fermin; the motion and vote are attributed to Councilmember Thorpe and council.