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Time Set # 35.
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| Board of Supervisors |
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| Subject |
Receive update on County sales tax measure public opinion research and provide direction to staff on next steps. (No general fund impact) (Blacklock/Tengolics)
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| Recommended Action |
| Receive update on County sales tax measure public opinion research and provide direction to staff on next steps. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Operational Excellence
Thriving Residents
Safe Communities
Sustainable Environment
Flourishing Agriculture |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
At the March 8, 2016 Board meeting, the Board received a staff presentation on two potential sales tax measures (transportation and quality preschool) and appointed a Sales Tax Measure Subcommittee to “provide fact-finding and policy guidance to staff as these issues emerge and develop”. The subcommittee directed staff to engage the services of FM3 Consulting to conduct public opinion research on a potential sales tax measure and public interest in improving preschool/early education childhood education access and quality, reducing homelessness; and increasing local road maintenance. Through this process the following draft ballot language was drafted:
Shall the County of Yolo enact a one-half percent sales tax for general government purposes that include local priorities such as:
• Improving preschool/early childhood education access and quality;
• Reducing homelessness; and
• Increasing local road maintenance and repair;
within the County for a limited period of 10 years, with independent annual audits of all expenditures made available to the public and reviewed by the Yolo County Financial Oversight Committee?
The attached presentation (Att. A) details the research results and concludes the following:
• A proposed countywide half-cent sales tax receives over 60 percent support, both before and after positive messaging.
• A quarter-cent measure does not yield increased support.
• Voters prioritize roads, homelessness, and pre-school about equally, although there is some variation in who prioritizes each.
• The strongest positive messages focus on brain development, school readiness, and serving homeless families and children.
• Messaging solidifies support, increasing the number who would “definitely” vote “yes” from 32% to 38%.
• In the absence of opposition, the measure is viable for November 2016.
For reference, the March 8, 2016 staff report is attached (Att. B). Staff understands that the City of West Sacramento also is considering a quarter-cent sales tax proposal and the City of Woodland is considering the renewal of its existing sales tax measure. Discussions with those jurisdictions are ongoing. As such, staff is seeking Board direction on next steps including bringing a potential sales tax measure to the Board for consideration in June. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| The County Administrator's Office has worked closely with County Counsel on this issue. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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