Measure B Oversight Committee

The Measure B Oversight Committee plays a central role in the City’s budgeting process and allocation of Measure B Funding. 

The Measure B Oversight Committee is made up of five citizens who have been appointed by the City Council. Each City Council Member appoints a Measure B Committee member, so members often change with the election of new Council members. The Committee meets at least annually to review the revenues generated by the Measure B tax and the expenditures of those revenues, and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding the spending and allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Measure B Background

In the March 5, 2024, election, residents voted in favor of a general tax of 3/8 cent (0.375%) sales tax that can fund additional firefighting personnel, wildfire risk land management, other fire safety related measures. Measure B requires a Citizen Oversight Committee made up of five citizens that will ensure proposed expenses are consistent with the adopted Measure B expenditure plan. Measure B also requires an annual audit and will sunset after seven years. 

Expenditure Plan

The expenditure plan for Measure B was approved on February 13, 2024. The plan is a 50%/50% Split between Resiliency and Vegetation Mitigation ($2.75 Million+/- to be generated annually)

• Resiliency- 50% of $2.75 Million Annually 

  • Move Closer to National Standards by increasing from two to three Firefighters per engine ($925K+/-)
  • $250k to Operate a Veg. Management, Education& Inspection Program (up to 3 Personnel)
  • $200K Annual Fire Vegetation / Green Waste Pickup/Drop-off

• Vegetation Mitigation – $1.35+/- M (Contracted Work and Grants)

  • $1 M – Fuel Reduction (140+/- Acres of Fuel Reduction around the City)
  • $300k Creating Grants for residences/businesses for assistance in Fuel Reductions (Priority on hardships and low income) 
  • $50k/yr. for long-term green waste solution

Happening Now

Based on the State’s determination, Measure B will take effect on October 1, 2024, resulting in the City receiving approximately 75% of the estimated annual revenue, or about $2 million, for FY 24/25.

The City has divided the proposed expenditure plan into two phases for FY 24/25: approximately 60% of the anticipated revenue to be allocated now, and the remaining 40% after December 2024. This phased approach will allow staff to proceed with initial tasks while ensuring prudent management of tax revenues and aligning with revenue projections from the past fiscal year.

60% Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2024/25 (FY 24/25)

50%/50% Split between Resiliency and Vegetation Mitigation ($2.75 Million+/- to be generated annually) 

• Resiliency – 50% of $2.00 M or $1.0+/- M for FY 24/25
  • Priority R.1 (60%)- Increasing from two to three Firefighters per engine ($530K) 1-Fire Fighter now and 6 – Fire Fighters in January 2025
  • Priority R.2 (60%) $300K total to hire a consultant to implement a vegetation inspection program and partially fund a masticator operator.
  • TBD (40%) Annual Fire Vegetation / Green Waste Pickup/Drop-off
• Vegetation Mitigation – 50% of $2.00 M or $1.0+/- M for FY 24/25
  • Priority VM.1 (60%)- $100K to start the environmental process for Fuel Reduction around the City.
  • TBD (40%) Creating Grants for residences/ businesses for assistance in Fuel Reductions (Priority on hardships and low income)
  • Priority VM.2 (60%) $70K evaluating for long-term green waste solutions.