Item 08 - Ballot Measure Polling Results

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Ballot Measure Polling Results March 17, 2026 Page 2 A November 2026 ballot measure to maintain the 1.5% local sales tax rate permanently requires a simple majority vote to pass. The 1.5% local sales tax has significantly improved the City's ability to provide services to the community. More detailed information is attached to this staff report as Exhibit 2. The $83+ million revenue source has been used for: • Quality of Life Teams (QOLT) to address the impacts of homelessness; • Fixing streets including pavement and right -of way, such as street lights, traffic calming, traffic signals, medians, alleys, and sidewalks; • Keeping pace with the increasing costs of public safety; • Improving the security and maintenance of City parks; • Arts and culture events; • City -owned facility improvements; • Graffiti removal; • Bus shelters; • Bike lane sweeping and tree trimming; • Immigration legal defense support; and • Many programs and facility enhancements to serve the City's youth. The City has been accountable to the public, the Citizens Oversight Committee, and the City Council with detailed spending plans, annual financial reports, and independent auditor review. Local sales tax add-ons have become increasingly common among California cities. Exhibit 3 identifies local sales tax rate comparisons. When the local sales tax decreases to 1.0% on April 1, 2029, the loss of up to $30 million of revenue will impact the City's ability to provide the services noted above. Therefore, staff recommends moving forward to Phase 2 of the True North project, as outlined in the November 4, 2025 staff report. 1. Prepare public information materials. 2. Develop a November 2026 ballot measure for City Council consideration on June 2, 2026. 3. Conduct a tracking survey to test the ballot measure before City Council consideration in June. Separate City Council approval will be required to add a measure to the November 2026 ballot. The recommended action with this report only approves moving forward with preparation. If the City Council approves a ballot measure for November 2026 and it fails, the City will have three years to reduce service levels and find other ways to rebalance the budget.