Monterey voters to decide eight-year renewal of 1-cent street tax in November
Measure S, the Continuation of Street Infrastructure Rehabilitation Tax, needs two-thirds approval and would generate about $12 million a year for streets, sidewalks and storm drains.
Monterey voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to renew the city's 1-cent street tax for another eight years, in a ballot measure that requires two-thirds approval and would generate about $12 million a year for street rehabilitation.
The city council voted unanimously on July 21 to place the measure, titled the Continuation of Street Infrastructure Rehabilitation Tax, on the November ballot. Because it is a special tax dedicated to a specific purpose, it needs a two-thirds supermajority to pass.
The tax was first approved by voters in 2014 and extended in 2018. The current authority expires March 31, 2027, unless voters renew it, according to the city attorney's impartial analysis.
By law, every dollar must go into a dedicated special fund used exclusively for the rehabilitation and repair of streets, sidewalks and storm drains, along with accessibility improvements such as curb ramps. A resident oversight committee reviews the revenue and spending and reports to the council in a public meeting.
The renewal would not raise the sales tax rate. If voters reject it, the city's sales tax drops by a cent per dollar.
"Measure S is dedicated to fixing our critical street infrastructure and those investments over a decade have delivered measurable progress. Our unanimous action as a city council will give Monterey voters an opportunity to extend Measure S for another eight years and continue our investments in the City's infrastructure," Mayor Tyller Williamson said in the city's July 29 release.
"Given how many visitors we attract to Monterey, 62% of this sales tax is paid by nonresidents," Williamson said.
We correct errors promptly and note them here. Send corrections to [email protected].
