To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Maggie Luce 565-1796, Christel Querijero 565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Measure H Oversight Committee Creation
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution creating the Measure H Oversight Committee.
end
Executive Summary:
Measure H, the “Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response” Transaction and Use Tax was passed by voters in March 2024. Measure H authorizes a countywide one-half-cent special transaction and use tax (sales tax) to supplement existing funding for wildfire prevention and preparedness, paramedic services, and emergency and disaster response. As required by the Measure, the Board of Supervisors shall establish an Oversight Committee to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability.
Discussion:
On September 26, 2023 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6361588&GUID=8CF11D3C-B5D9-4DEC-AD0F-A50ED85A18B4&Options=&Search=%3E,>, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution calling a special election for March 5, 2024, on the proposed sales tax measure entitled, “Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services, and Disaster Response Initiative and Sales Tax Petition” (Measure H), and combining the special election with the statewide election on March 5, 2024. Measure H was passed successfully with 61.71% of voters approving a one-half of a cent per dollar sales tax on the sale and use of tangible property within Sonoma County, including both incorporated and unincorporated areas, until ended by the voters, to supplement existing funding for wildfire prevention and preparedness, paramedic services, and emergency and disaster response, raising approximately $60,000,000 annually. The new sales tax became operative as of October 1, 2024.
Implementation of Measure H requires the formation of an independent Oversight Committee to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability. This item includes a request for the Board to adopt a resolution creating the Measure H Oversight Committee. The Committee will review, at least on an annual basis, the receipt and expenditures of the revenue from the sales tax, including an annual report of each recipient Agency’s use of the tax.
Applications for Commission members can be submitted via the ’Countys Boards and Commissions webpage <https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/boardsandcommissions> following Board approval of the creation of this Commission. Staff will return to the Board at a later date with recommendations for Oversight Committee member appointments. As outlined in Attachment A (Measure H Tax Measure), the Board shall adopt a resolution (Attachment B) to establish a committee comprised of eleven appointed members. The Board shall appoint six Committee members to sit on the Committee. Two of the Committee members will be selected from a list of names submitted by the Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association of Sonoma County. Two of the Committee members will be selected from a list of names submitted by the labor organizations responsible for collective bargaining on behalf of active-duty firefighters employed by local agencies which receive funding through this Ordinance. Committee Members will serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed by their appointing body.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
9/26/23 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6361588&GUID=8CF11D3C-B5D9-4DEC-AD0F-A50ED85A18B4&Options=&Search=%3E,>: Adopt a Resolution submitting the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services, and Disaster Response Initiative and Sales Tax Petition to the Voters of Sonoma County
9/12/23 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6338188&GUID=927F17A6-F5F9-4774-8CAB-6B50A3FC9F45&Options=&Search=>: Accepting Certificate of Sufficiency for the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services, and Disaster Response Initiative and Sales Tax Petition
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment A: Measure H Tax Measure
Attachment B: Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None