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City manager outlines proposed parcel tax to fund roads, safety and air monitoring
Summary
City Manager John Moreno presented a proposed parcel tax measure for the November 2026 ballot that would levy phased per-square-foot assessments on commercial and industrial parcels to generate an estimated $4 million annually for roads, public safety, environmental monitoring and small-business reinvestment; the commission asked clarifying questions and staff described oversight and phased billing.
City Manager John Moreno briefed the planning commission on a proposed parcel tax that the city council approved to place on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would apply only to commercial and industrial properties (approximately 1,061 parcels) and levy phased rates (8¢ per sq ft for commercial, 11¢ per sq ft for industrial, 13¢ per sq ft for vacant commercial/industrial), with an estimated $4,000,000 in annual revenue if adopted.
Moreno said the parcel tax revenues would be deposited into a special fund restricted to the measure's purposes and would support four priority areas: roads and infrastructure (proposed $2 million of the annual revenue to bond and pay for street repairs), public safety (sheriff contract cost escalation and private security for commercial/industrial areas), environmental and essential services (including air-quality monitoring), and business reinvestment (facade programs, security rebates and ADA improvements). "If approved by the voters, the revenues will be deposited into a special fund and may only be used for the purposes authorized by the measure," Moreno said. He described oversight protections including a capped CPI adjustment (up to 3%) and an independent oversight committee with public reporting.
Commissioners asked about billing timing, who pays the assessment, and program specifics; staff said the first bill would appear in late 2027 at the initial phased-in rate and that residential properties and renters would not be subject to the tax.
