Rio Vista council puts three‑quarter cent sales‑tax extension on November ballot

The Rio Vista City Council voted unanimously to place a proposed ordinance on the November 3, 2026 ballot to extend Measure O, a three‑quarter cent transactions and use tax. Staff told the council the measure would be a general tax deposited to the city’s general fund and, as drafted, would sunset after three years.

Why it matters: staff estimated annual revenue between $1,390,000 and $1,460,000; those funds currently support city services with 92% allocated to the fire department, 7% to police and 1% to public works. Staff warned that without the extension the city could be unable to fund a second fire engine and would face “considerable impacts” on public-safety operations.

Council discussion touched on whether to perform voter polling before placing the measure and on contract obligations. Vice Mayor Doke asked about polling; staff said there was no polling planned but it could be done on a tight timeline. Councilmembers also asked how the measure would interact with existing police contracts; staff said the city would remain bound by contracts and could only renegotiate positions outside the contract scope.

Public comment was invited and none was offered during the hearing on this item. Council approved the ordinance to be placed on the ballot by roll call.

Quote: “If this does not pass, it will have considerable impacts within the city,” staff said during the presentation, citing inability to fund a second fire engine as an example.

Next steps: the ordinance will proceed to ballot placement procedures and any related outreach the council directs.