City of Monterey, CA

What is Measure S?

Monterey's Measure S is a continuation of a one percent (1 cent per dollar) sales tax (Measure P) that was approved by 74% of voters in November 2014 for infrastructure rehabilitation. The scope of Measure P is to fix streets, sidewalks, storm drains, and install ADA ramps and signals at intersections. Measure P will sunset in March 2019.

If approved by a 2/3 majority of “yes” voters, Measure S would continue the work started by Measure P, include the same scope of work, and provide eight more years of funds (through March 31, 2027) to complete the infrastructure repairs throughout the City of Monterey.

Why didn't Measure P finish the job?

Measure P was never intended to finish all the work. The City wanted to demonstrate in four years (2015 - 2019) that we would faithfully manage the funds and execute Measure P goals. It was consistently communicated that it would take longer than four years to get all the streets, sidewalks and storm drains up to good condition. The Ballot Measure Advisory Committee, and a voter poll, asked that we start with four years to see how well we did. Feedback, including from the Measure P Oversight Committee made up of Monterey residents, has been very positive. Measure P has been a success.

What will Measure S cost?

Measure S continues, without increasing, the existing tax that was set in place by Measure P in 2014 for an additional eight years. This is expected to bring in about $9 million per year. The sales tax rate does not increase or change if Measure S is passed.

Why eight years?

The City Engineering Division has assessed the street conditions and funding required to bring the road network into a ‘state of good repair’. Using modeling technology and staff inspection techniques, we are able to measure the quality of streets, and create a cost effective plan to fix them. Eight years provides us the funding and time to meet our goals.

Will Measure S help with traffic congestion?

Indirectly, yes. The passage of Measure S would allow the City to focus the existing Measure X funding towards traffic congestion relief. The combination of these two funding sources would allow dramatic improvements to the City’s street network.

About Measure X: The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) placed the Transportation Safety & Investment Plan (Measure X) on the November 8, 2016 ballot and the measure was approved with 67.7% approval from Monterey County voters. Learn more about Measure X at www.tamcmonterey.org/measure-x/.

What if Measure S doesn't pass?

If Measure S doesn't pass, the existing tax would no longer be collected after March 31, 2019. The City would lose approximately $9 million dollars annually, and would no longer have this funding source to fix streets, sidewalks and storm drains.. The City receives revenue for street repair from gax tax (California Senate Bill SB1) and Measure X (TAMC Transportation Safety & Investment Plan); however, such funding is insufficient to address the tens of millions of dollars required to replace failed City streets and improve traffic congestion issues.

Learn more about California Senate Bill SB1 at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1.

Learn more about Measure X at www.tamcmonterey.org/measure-x/

Are there any other available funds to use for this purpose?

In addition to Gas Tax, and Measure X funds, the City is very proactive in seeking grant funding for transportation concerns. Grant funding normally requires a ‘local monetary match’ for approval, and grants can be very limiting in scope. These funds are also competitive in nature, and the City has no guarantee that it will receive funding as other agencies also struggle to meet infrastructure needs.

Measure S Facts

Measure S Facts