DATE: May 21, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Potential Ballot Measure to Extend Without Increasing the City of Hayward Half-Cent Sales Tax
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That Council receives this report on community engagement and public opinion research on a potential extension of the City of Hayward half-cent sales tax and provides direction for returning next month for legislative action.
End
SUMMARY
The City of Hayward has completed all of the original facility, infrastructure and road improvement projects that were to be funded through the Measure C half-cent sales tax enacted by Hayward voters in June 2014. Revenue generated by the sale tax continues to fund employee positions associated with services prioritized at the time of Measure C’s passage, annual pavement improvements and debt service payments associated with the completed facility projects.
Having reached the halfway point in the 20-year authorization of the sales tax and given completion of the original Measure C facility projects, it is an opportune time to consider how to use the sales tax dollars for the remaining 10 years of the authorization as well as the potential for addressing remaining and emerging needs and goals through an extension of the tax beyond 2034.
To prepare, staff have undertaken a multi-department review of unfunded City capital projects and service needs. In addition, staff have completed a two-pronged program of community listening and engagement and public opinion research to understand community priorities and voter support for a potential November 2024 ballot measure to extend without increasing the sales tax beyond its 2034 sunset date.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Measure C Ballot Language
Attachment III Measure C 20-Year Forecast
Attachment IV Measure C Community Engagement Report and Verbatim Responses and Comments
Attachment V Sale Tax-Extension Poll Toplines Report