140,557 / 67.2% Yes votes ...... 68,671 / 32.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure increases the sales tax collected in Sonoma County by 1/4 of one percent (.25%) for twenty (20) years to fund highway improvements discussed in the "Expenditures" section below. Currently, the sales tax in Sonoma County is
7.5%. This measure would increase the current sales tax to 7.75%. This increase would remain in effect for no longer than twenty (20) years.

Based on current sales tax collections, historical annual growth in sales tax, and the assumption that the tax will remain in effect for twenty (20) years, the Auditor- Controller estimates the sales tax collected, annually, under this measure will be approximately $17 million to $30 million.

Proceeds from this sales tax shall be deposited in a special account under the control of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and shall be spent only to implement the projects in the Expenditure Plan below. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority shall annually report the amount of proceeds collected and expended.

Expenditures:

The revenues generated by this measure are available solely for traffic relief goals and improvements set out in detail in the Expenditure Plan, and summarized below:

1. Maintain and expand the existing transportation system, by widening Highway 101, improving interchanges, fixing potholes and maintaining local streets and roads, relieving traffic congestion on key corridors, completing initial steps necessary to establish a passenger rail system, expanding the local bus system, and building safe bike and pedestrian routes.
2. Make the transportation system easy to use with efficient connections between buses, the future rail service, the freeway, and local roads and bike routes.
3. Use local revenue to become a "self-help" county and leverage state and federal funding for transportation needs.
4. Enhance safety in all aspects of the transportation system.
5. Improve the mobility of all residents, especially seniors and people with disabilities.
6. Help meet the unique local transportation needs of each community in Sonoma County.

The total transportation improvement expenditures would equal the estimated revenue above. However, the transportation improvement expenditures could be in excess of the estimated revenues because the Sonoma County Transportation Authority's able to use this local revenue to obtain additional state and federal funding.

Bonds:

This measure would authorize the Sonoma County Transportation Authority to issue bonds to finance projects included in the Expenditure Plan summarized above. The maximum bonded indebtedness, including issuance cost, interest, and bonding structure costs shall not exceed the total amount of proceeds from this sales tax.

In accordance with the Elections Code, the scope of this fiscal impact analysis has been limited to the measure's effect on revenues and expenditures. It does not address larger countywide fiscal issues such as the measure's effect on the overall County economy.

s/ Rodney A. Dole
Sonoma County Auditor-Controller

The preceding statement is a Fiscal Impact Statement regarding Measure M. The Expenditure Plan for Measure M (as well as the Full Text) has been printed in a Supplemental Voter Information Pamphlet. The Supplemental Pamphlet is being mailed separately to each registered voter. If you do not receive the Supplemental Pamphlet, or desire an additional copy, please call the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office at (707) 565-6800 or 1-(800) 750-VOTE toll free, and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

The revenue raised from the tax would be committed to funding the following improvements and goals:

1. Maintain and expand the existing transportation system, by widening Highway 101, improving interchanges, fixing potholes and maintaining local streets and roads, relieving traffic congestion on key corridors, completing initial steps necessary to establish a passenger rail system, expanding the local bus system, and building safe bike and pedestrian routes.
2. Make the transportation system easy to use with efficient connections between buses, the future rail service, the freeway, and local roads and bike routes.
3. Use local revenue to become a "self-help" county and leverage state and federal funding for transportation needs.
4. Enhance safety in all aspects of the transportation system.
5. Improve the mobility of all residents, especially seniors and people with disabilities.
6. Help meet the unique local transportation needs of each community in Sonoma County.

Specific projects are listed in the Expenditure Plan adopted by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, which is set out in full in the voter information pamphlet. Before any specific project could be initiated, any necessary environmental review of the project would be completed. Estimated costs in the Expenditure Plan include the cost of such environmental review.

The California Constitution requires any agency that spends tax revenue to establish a "spending limit," which restricts the amount of revenue an agency can spend over time. The ordinance establishes an initial annual spending limit of $30 million for the Authority. The ordinance also specifies that the Authority may issue bonds, to be repaid by future tax revenue, to expedite completion of projects listed in the Expenditure Plan.

The tax would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as current sales tax. Collection would begin on April 1, 2005, and would continue for a period of twenty (20) years. The tax will only be imposed if it is approved by 2/3 of the voters voting on the measure.

STEVEN WOODSIDE County Counsel

By: s/ Kathleen Larocque
Deputy County Counsel

The preceding statement is an Impartial Analysis of Measure M. The Full Text of Measure M (as well as the Expenditure Plan) has been printed in a Supplemental Voter Information Pamphlet. The Supplemental Pamphlet is being mailed separately to each registered voter. If you do not receive the Supplemental Pamphlet, or desire an additional copy, please call the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office at (707) 565-6800 or 1-(800) 750-VOTE toll free, and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Forum

• Monday, October 4, 7-7:45pm, Santa Rosa City Council Chambers, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue
• Taped Rebroadcasts (Measures M and O)
  On Community Access Channel 70: 10/6 at 11pm; 10/9 at 9:00pm; 10/10 at 12:30pm; 10/11 at 7pm; 10/16 at 9:00pm; 10/17 at 12:30pm.
  On Community Access Channel 72 10/5 at 9:30pm; 10/8 at 1:30pm; 10/12 at 9:30pm; 10/15 at 1:30pm; 10/19 at 9:30pm; 10/22 at 1:30pm; 10/26 at 9:30pm.
• Edited Taped Rebroadcast of M Only on KRCB Channel 22: 10/24 at 8:am.

M = local street repairs: Potholes repaired. Local streets maintained. And neighborhood congestion reduced.

M = widening 101: Measure M will accelerate the widening of Highway 101. More lanes means more time with our families and less time stuck on the road.

M= much, much more: New passenger rail development. Safe new bicycle and pedestrian routes. New freeway interchanges. Improved local bus services.

M = more accountability: Every 1/4 cent raised by Measure M must be spent on these specific projects. No pet projects for politicians or developers.

M = 1/4 cent: Measure M is half the cost of what other counties have raised and spent. And it's twice as efficient.

M = matching funds: Measure M will double our money with matching funds from the state and federal governments. That's our money! And Measure M gets us our share!

A better local economy needs a better transportation system. And Measure M gives it to us.

Let's get Sonoma County moving. Yes on MeasureM!

SC TRANSPORTATION LAND USE COALITION
s/ George Ellman, Chair Emeritus

s/ Raymond M. Mulas
Dairyman/Local Firefighter

s/ Mike Reilly
5th District Supervisor

s/ Bill Cogbill
Sheriff-Coroner

s/ Mari Featherstone
Small Business Owner

Ms. Featherstone, who signed the argument in favor of this tax, has on previous occasions spoken in favor of higher taxes and against developer fees. She likes the idea of developer fees being low and taxes being high. We suspect she is more an advocate for developer interests rather than an advocate for small business interests.

In the case of the Sheriff, Mr. Cogbill, all we have is another over-paid public official endorsing a tax increase. What does he know about the cost effectiveness of rail transportation or the soundness of increasing the bus subsidy? If the passenger rail system were completed what would the resulting cost per passenger mile be, Mr. Cogbill? What is that critical number?

REDWOOD EMPIRE TAX COMMITTEE
s/ William W. Pisenti, President

There are other reasons we ask that you vote against this tax including the fact that $47 million would go to the bus system. Buses are already heavily subsidized by tax dollars and there is no reason to ask us to pay more to increase the subsidy. If buses are so great let them pay their own way.

We expect this tax to be endorsed by the so-called "development community." This is also suspicious. What would their motive be? Do they see this tax as a way to speed development? Are the taxpayers being asked to, in effect, subsidize growth by paying for infrastructure expansions necessary to accelerate growth?

We already pay adequate taxes for roads with gas taxes exceeding 40 cents per gallon. If the state and federal governments did not cheat us out of our fair share of this money we would have the roads and highways we deserve. Raising taxes at the local level is not an appropriate response. Our representatives in Sacramento and Washington should work more effectively to return a fair share of the gas taxes we pay to this county.

REDWOOD EMPIRE TAX COMMITTEE
s/ William W. Pisenti, President

Unlike the transportation measures that failed in the past, Measure M commits to prudent investments in specific projects throughout the county that will ease congestion, improve safety and provide alternatives to those who cannot or choose not to drive cars.

Measure M means local control. Forty percent of the funds will be distributed throughout the county for street maintenance and projects to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.

Another 40 percent will provide matching funds to unclog decades-old bottlenecks on Highway 101.

Measure M will also provide express bus service for commuters, additional bus service at night and transit for seniors and the disabled. These are critical services for citizens who have no alternatives.

Measure M means more choices--safe bicycle routes throughout the county and a reasonable investment in passenger rail. Taxpayers can decide later how they want to fund the regional SMART rail system.

Measure M means more return on our tax dollars. New federal and state funds will flow to Sonoma County because we will have local matching funds. Now they go to other counties that have already passed similar self-help measures.

Because it is a better plan, environmental groups, transit and bicycle advocates and others who opposed previous measures support Measure M.

The community deserves better transportation. Measure M is a responsible, no frills plan that will deliver the transportation projects we need. Join us in supporting Measure M.

s/ Steven Hood, Chief
Petaluma Police Department

s/ Ken Wells
Bicycle Advocate

s/ Leonard Swenson
Retired Teacher

s/ Jack H. Frost, Captain
Timber Cove Fire Department

NORTHBAY LABOR COUNCIL
s/ Michael Allen, President