Santa Rosa voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to raise the city's sales tax to keep police and fire staffing where it is. City officials say a no vote would bring the biggest workforce cuts since the Great Recession.
Measure L would renew Santa Rosa's existing voter-approved half-cent general sales tax, known as Measure Q, and raise it to a full cent. That's $1 on every $100 of taxable purchases in the city. The Press Democrat reported that the change would bring in about $23 million more a year, and more than $46 million in total. The tax would have no end date unless voters added one later. The current half-cent tax is set to expire in 2031.
What the cuts could look like
The city still has a $14.4 million structural deficit. That's down from about $23.3 million after three budget cycles of cuts that removed 82 positions, merged departments and raised hotel and business taxes. Police and fire now make up about 68% of the general fund.
Police Chief John Cregan told the Press Democrat that without the new money, his department would need to cut $3.1 million next year and $7.1 million by 2030. He said that works out to about 11 fewer officers next year and 24 more by 2030. Specialized teams would go first, including the gang, downtown and traffic units. The department has 175 officers today, down from 190 in 2006.
Fire Chief Scott Westrope said the department would have to consider closing a fire station in the short term. Later cuts could mean a second closure and the loss of a truck company.
The cost to shoppers
If it passes, Santa Rosa's sales tax rate would hit 10.5%. That ties Sebastopol for the highest in the area, though it's still below the 11.75% charged in Lancaster and Palmdale. Mayor Mark Stapp estimated the cost for an average resident at $100 to $300 a year, depending on spending.
A city poll of 418 residents in June found 62% leaning toward yes. The measure needs a simple majority. No group has filed formal opposition. Still, some residents argue the city should tighten its own budget first. Former Press Democrat reporter Paul Payne told the paper that the city "just needs to tighten its belt line like everyone else."
On its Measure L page, the city says the money would go to priorities residents named, such as 911 response, keeping every fire station open and fixing potholes. The measure also requires independent audits and public spending reports. Rohnert Park and Windsor are also asking voters for sales tax increases this November.