HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-02-25_11b Measure E-24 CommitteeItem 11.b.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Matthew Downing, City Manager
Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works
Jessica Matson, Director of Legislative & Information Services/
City Clerk
SUBJECT: Direction on the Establishment of a Measure E -24 Citizen Sales Tax
Oversight Committee
DATE: February 25, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction regarding the creation of a Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee to review the annual revenue and expenditure report before presentation to
the City Council, and which is mailed to the residents, on the allocation and use of sales
tax revenues collected through Measure E-24.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There are no immediate fiscal impacts associated with the creation of a Citizen Sales Tax
Oversight Committee. Personnel impacts include time spent administering the
Committee.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2024, voters in the City of Arroyo Grande approved Transactions and
Use/Sales Tax Measure E-24 (E-24)1 that increased the local sales tax rate in Arroyo
Grande by one percent to 8.75%. Arroyo Grande voters passed Measure E-24 to
generate revenue to fund many of the key priorities of the community and the City Council.
The measure is estimated to generate approximately $6 million annually.
As part of the City’s commitment to transparency and accountability, E-24 included
language regarding citizen oversight. Although not required by the language of the
Measure itself, a Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee (CSTOC, or Committee) is one
approach by which oversight can be accomplished. This committee could review the
annual reports of E-24, advise and provide feedback regarding the allocation of E-24
funds. The Annual Report will highlight how funds will be spent and include metrics and
1 https://www.arroyogrande.org/813/Measure-E-24-Sales-Tax
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Item 11.b.
City Council
Direction on the Establishment of a Measure E-24 Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee
February 25, 2025
Page 2
a narrative on what the funds were used for and what was accomplished with the funds.
After reviewing the annual report and audit, the CSTOC will report their findings to the
City Council.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The City's Administrative Services Department has begun coordinating with the California
Department of Tax and Fee Administration to ensure the timely implementation of the
new sales tax rate. The new sales tax increase will take effect on April 1, 2025.
Because E-24 is a general tax, related revenues and expenditures are included in the
City’s General Fund and the City’s annual audited financial statements. Transparency
and accountability were an important part of the passing of E-24. As such, the creation
of the CSTOC annual review of the E-24 Report would help provide this transparency.
Committee Composition
The creation of a Committee is fully subject to local control. If the City Council provides
direction to create a Committee, one option would be that Committee consist of 5
members representing a broad cross-section of the community. Potential members would
be appointed by the City Council based on their knowledge, experience, and interest in
the City’s fiscal health. Members may include:
Residents with experience in public finance, government, or business ;
Representatives from key community organizations and service groups;
Individuals with backgrounds in urban planning, public safety, or infrastructure
development; or
General residents of the City.
Committee Term and Meetings
If the City Council directs the creation of the Committee, it is recommended that the
committee serve a term coinciding with their appointing Council Member, consistent with
that of other City advisory bodies. Members would have the possibility of reappointment
for additional terms. Meetings would be held annually or as needed to address key issues
related to E-24 funds. The committee would operate in a transparent manner, with
meetings open to the public, and all agendas and minutes posted on the City’s website in
accordance with the Brown Act.
Recruitment and Appointment Process
The recruitment process for the Committee would also be fully subject to local control,
and may involve:
1. A public notice seeking applications for Committee members, which would be
posted on the City’s website, in other public locations, and through the City’s
various communications channels.
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Item 11.b.
City Council
Direction on the Establishment of a Measure E-24 Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee
February 25, 2025
Page 3
2. Applications would be received by the City Clerk’s office and reviewed by each
member of the City Council, who would recommend their appointment for final
approval by the full City Council.
3. Preference would be given to applicants who reflect the diversity of the City and
have relevant experience or knowledge.
Next Steps
Following City Council direction, staff would begin to a dvertise open seats on the
Committee and begin the acceptance and review of applications to get a head start on
the process of filling seats.
If directed, introduction of an Ordinance establishing a Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee would come to Council on March 11th with adoption on March 25th. Committee
Bylaws would also be presented to Council at the March 25 th City Council meeting for
consideration of adoption.
Pending recruitment of individuals to serve on the Committee, Council appointments to
the Committee are anticipated to take place in April with the f irst Committee meeting
anticipated to take place in late spring/early summer 2025.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Direct staff to initiate steps towards the creation of a Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee for Measure E-24 funds, and publish a notice seeking applications for
committee members;
2. Direct staff to initiate steps towards the creation of a Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee for Measure E-24 funds, and do not publish a notice for applications at
this time;
3. Direct staff to not initiate steps to create a Committee; or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
The creation of an E-24 Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee is one way the City of
Arroyo Grande can maintain a high level of accountability and transparency in the
allocation of its sales tax revenue. The committee will provide valuable community input
when reviewing the annual report related to E-24 revenues and expenditures.
DISADVANTAGES:
The creation of an E-24 Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee will create another Brown
Act committee for the City that requires record keeping and meeting administration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
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Item 11.b.
City Council
Direction on the Establishment of a Measure E-24 Citizen Sales Tax Oversight
Committee
February 25, 2025
Page 4
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
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