Voters are on the verge of approving a sales tax increase in the city of Sonoma, according to unofficial election results.
Voters were asked to consider Measure T, which will increase the city’s current half-cent sales tax by another half-cent. The vote needs a simple majority to win.
As of Wednesday morning, Measure T has 58.8% of the vote.
Combined with a half-cent Sonoma County sales tax to fund firefighting services that was passed by county voters as Measure H in March and took effect Oct. 1, as well as the county’s Measure I quarter-cent sales tax for child care programs, which voters also decided on Election Day, the overall sales tax rate in Sonoma could go from 9% to 10.25% if Measures T and I both pass.
Unofficial results report that Measure I is likely to pass with 60.9% of the votes.
According to the Sonoma City Council, Measure T will bring in an estimated $3 million annually for city services.
“We face significant challenges including aging public infrastructure, public safety concerns, and affordable housing shortages. To maintain our high quality of life, the City of Sonoma requires the additional funding and resources that passing Measure T could provide.” Ballot argument supporting Measure T
The Sonoma City Council voted in favor of placing Measure T on the ballot to address the city’s budget deficit of $2.8 million. The city reports that the deficit will impact its ability to maintain service levels and decrease the likelihood of creating a Parks and Recreation Department.
The funds will support myriad city programs, ranging from law enforcement and emergency response to affordable housing and climate initiatives. It will also fund infrastructure projects to repair roads and sidewalks. The tax will fund a long-promised Parks and Recreation Department to maintain the city’s almost 80 acres of parks.
Two city councilmembers, the police and fire chiefs, and the city’s honorary alcalde signed an argument in favor of the measure. No argument against the measure was filed.
“We face significant challenges including aging public infrastructure, public safety concerns, and affordable housing shortages,” the argument states. “To maintain our high quality of life, the City of Sonoma requires the additional funding and resources that passing Measure T could provide.”
Measure T is one of three city sales tax increases in Sonoma County. The cities of Sebastopol and Cloverdale also have sales tax measures on the ballot. Both measures appeared to be on the cusp of passing as of Wednesday morning.