Resident urges Lafayette to form standing fiscal advisory body ahead of Measure H sunset

A Lafayette resident urged the City Council to create a standing fiscal advisory body to help plan for the eventual expiration of Measure H and identify revenue and efficiency options that reduce the city's reliance on temporary taxes.

"Expand the finance subcommittee into a standing fiscal advisory body ... that brings residents with real financial expertise to the table alongside council," said Mario De Prisco during the meeting's public comment period. He told the council that Measure H (a half-cent sales tax enacted as a temporary, roughly seven-year fix) has largely sustained existing services but will leave the city facing the same structural pressures once it sunsets.

De Prisco proposed that the body have a clear charge to explore cost savings and revenue growth options distinct from current oversight of Measure H spending, stressing that such an advisory group would be forward-looking and Brown Act–compliant. He suggested Lafayette leverage local residents with expertise—investors, accountants, and business owners—to produce concrete, vetted proposals that do not rely solely on future tax measures.

Council members thanked him and did not take formal action during the meeting. The item remained a public comment request rather than an item on tonight’s agenda; staff and council did not adopt a resolution or motion to form the advisory group during this session. Any next steps would require council direction to staff and likely an agenda item for future consideration.

De Prisco offered to assist with standing up the body and emphasized the advisory group would not remove council authority: it would meet under the Brown Act and deliver recommendations for council consideration.