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Council unanimously places Measure S on Nov. 3 ballot, adds example language to cover stormwater pump repairs
Summary
The council voted to place an eight‑year continuation of the one‑cent sales tax (Measure S) on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, projected to raise about $12 million annually for streets, sidewalks, ADA work and storm drains; council amended the ordinance to add example language such as replacing the Lake El Estero stormwater pump station.
City staff recommended that the council place a one‑cent sales‑tax continuation (Measure S) on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to continue existing funding for street rehabilitation, ADA curb and ramp work, and storm‑drain infrastructure. Staff said previous measures (Measure P and Measure S) raised the city’s pavement condition index from the mid‑50s to about 79 and that a continued measure would preserve that progress and position the city to match state and federal grants.
Staff presented the funding case: the tax is a continuation at the same 1¢ rate (no tax increase), about 62% of the revenue is projected to be paid by nonresidents, and the measure is projected to generate roughly $12,000,000 per year. Staff noted dedicated auditing, a citizens oversight committee and annual reporting. The finance director reiterated strict fiscal accountability, independent audits and a standing oversight committee.
Council and staff answered questions about specific high‑cost infrastructure needs: the Lake El Estero stormwater pump station was estimated by engineering staff at just over $3,000,000 to replace, and staff explained that the $5–$6 million figure cited earlier covers pavement maintenance only and does not include major rehabilitation or storm‑drain projects.
Council discussed whether to adjust the measure’s structure and whether to explicitly list major storm‑drain projects in the ordinance text. After discussion, council amended the ordinance to reinsert an example phrase — "such as replacing the Lake El Estero stormwater pump station" — into section F (examples of eligible storm‑drain work) and then voted unanimously to place Measure S on the November ballot. Staff cited polling that showed healthy support for an eight‑year continuation and stressed the difficulty of finding alternative revenue that would match the measure’s capacity to leverage grant funding.
The council directed staff to proceed with outreach and ballot placement; the measure will appear on the consolidated county ballot for Nov. 3, 2026, subject to the county consolidation process.
