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Board votes to place Measure M parks-sales tax renewal on November ballot
Summary
The board voted to introduce an ordinance to continue the one-eighth cent Measure M transaction-and-use tax for parks, with an expenditure plan splitting one-third to cities and the rest to regional parks for maintenance, wildfire risk reduction and natural-resource protection; staff noted wide public and city support and set timelines for ballot placement.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted May 19 to introduce an ordinance placing a parks-sales-tax renewal (a continuation of the one-eighth cent Measure M) on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Director Whitaker described Measure M as a voter-approved one-eighth-cent sales tax that since 2018 has provided stable funding for parks and open space across the county. "Measure M provides reliable funding to care for existing parks and plan for the future," Whitaker said, emphasizing the measure's role in maintenance, wildfire-fuel work, habitat restoration and matching grants.
Staff presented an expenditure plan that allocates one-third of revenue to cities (based on population) and the remainder to regional parks for deferred maintenance, safety and recreation services, access improvements, and natural-resource protections including fire-risk reduction and habitat restoration. The ordinance is drafted as a continuation (not a new tax) and staff said the new ordinance, if approved by voters, would become effective April 1, 2029. Polling cited in the presentation showed roughly 74% support for continuation in tested language.
A broad group of supporters — city parks directors, nonprofit conservation groups, tribal leaders and the Measure M oversight committee — urged the board to place the renewal on the ballot. Buffy McQuillan representing the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria said co-management of parkland and long-term stewardship are only possible with stable funding, and other city officials described Measure M-funded projects and maintenance funded to date.
After public comment the board voted to introduce the ordinance and place the measure on the November ballot; the motion passed by roll call.
Next steps: staff will return July 7 for ordinance reading and will carry forward required ballot-adoption steps before the August 7 deadline to place measures on the November ballot. If approved by two-thirds of voters, the ordinance would continue the county's Parks Improvement, Water Quality and Fire Safety measure past the current sunset date.
