Agenda Item Wording:
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Annual Recertification of the Measure T (Sales Tax) Plan for FY 2023/24.
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Deadline for Action: 6/19/2023
Submitting Department: Finance and Technology Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Renee Nagel, 713-4375 renee.nagel@visalia.city Amee Swearingen, 713-4170 amee.swearingen@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Council recertify the Measure T expenditure plan for the new budget year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 (FY 2023/24) as required per the plan.
Background Discussion:
In 2004, City of Visalia voters approved a measure to increase sales tax by 1/4 cent. This was known as Measure T and the sales tax revenues generated by the voter-approved measure are earmarked for public safety. The sales tax is shared 60% police and 40% fire. Thus, the City maintains two funds: Measure T - Fire and Measure T - Police. The measure uses a detailed, 20-year plan which includes hiring of personnel, construction of capital projects, and equipment purchases. The plan requires each fund to have an economic uncertainty fund of 25% of sales tax revenues collected. This is to be used if revenues do not cover expenditures. However, the plan elements should be funded before the economic uncertainty fund is fully funded. Annually the plan is required to get recertified by Council. For the recertification, staff brings all the completed elements and a projection of both the funds revenues and expenditures.
Plan elements implemented to date are as follows:
* Two Police substations built
* 23 Police Officers hired and vehicles purchased (reduced from 28 due to revenue shortfalls and as directed by the City Council at their June 20, 2011 meeting)
* 13 Firefighters hired (reduced from the original plan of 18)
* Built Fire Station 55 and Training Facility
* Built Fire Station 53
* Purchased 2 New Fire Trucks
* Built Visalia Emergency Communication Center
In addition, the plan requires both police and...
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