July 2025
City of Belmont:
2025 Revenue Measure Feasibility Survey
COUNCIL PRESENTATION
AUGUST 2025
July 2025
Methodology Overview
Data Collection Landline (31), cell phone (179), and text to online (151)
Universe 13,676 likely November 2026 voters in the City of Belmont
Fielding Dates July 7 through July 15, 2025
Interview Length 25 minutes
Sample Size n=361
Margin of Error ± 5.09%
The data have been weighted to reflect the actual population characteristics of likely voters in the City of Belmont in terms of their gender, age, and political party type.
July 2025
Key Findings
July 2025
Belmont Residents Highly Satisfied With
Their Quality of Life
Very satisfied
48.9%
Somewhat
satisfied
41.5%
Somewhat
dissatisfied
7.4%
Very
dissatisfied
1.6%
DK/NA
0.6%
Total Satisfied = 90.4%
July 2025
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
6/15 Survey
11/15 Voters
4/20 Survey
11/20 Voters
6/23 Survey
11/24 Voters
5/24 Survey
11/24 Voters
7/25 Survey
11/26 Voters
25.2%
29.9%
19.4%
17.6%
33.9%
44.8%
44.3%
50.4%
47.5%
45.7%
17.1%
8.7%
16.2%
14.2%
13.2%
3.2%
4.8%
5.9%
5.4%
3.8%
9.7%
12.3%
8.0%
15.3%
3.5%
Very favorable Somewhat favorable Somewhat unfavorable Very unfavorable DK/NA Resident Satisfaction With City Provision of
Services Increased to Pre-Pandemic Levels
69.8%
74.2%
70.0%
65.1%
79.6%
July 2025
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
6/15 Survey
11/15 Voters
4/20 Survey
11/20 Voters
6/23 Survey
11/24 Voters
5/24 Survey
11/24 Voters
7/25 Survey
11/26 Voters
15.5%
16.8%
14.1%
13.8%
13.4%
36.6%
32.7%
40.8%
43.9%
48.5%
17.6%
14.4%
20.6%
16.6%
12.9%
11.0%
9.8%
8.7%
9.0%
6.6%
19.2%
26.4%
15.8%
16.7%
18.6%
Very favorable Somewhat favorable Somewhat unfavorable Very unfavorable DK/NA Residents Favorability Rating of the City’s
Management of Public Funds Highest in Decade
54.9%
52.1%
49.5%
57.7%
61.9%
July 2025
Uninformed Hypothetical Support for
Community Center Measure
Belmont Community Center Safety
and Services Measure. Shall the
ordinance providing funding for and
maintaining supervised children’s
play and youth, teen/ adult programs,
childcare, afterschool/ senior
programs in a disabled accessible,
fire/ earthquake resistant community
center, usable as an emergency
health/ disaster relief facility, be
adopted levying 33 cents per
residential and 54 cents per
commercial per building square foot
in the city, providing $7,100,000
annually, until ended by voters, with
senior exemptions, independent
audits?
Probably No
10.7%
DK/NA
17.0%
Definitely No
14.7%
Definitely Yes
22.4%
Probably Yes
35.2%
Total Support
57.6%
July 2025
Impact of Information
July 2025
Respondents Prioritize Outcomes of Upgrades
and Basic Safety Repairs
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, “No Effect” = 0, “Somewhat Less Likely” = -1, and “Much Less Likely” = -2.
Somewhat
More Likely
Somewhat
Less Likely
Much Less
Likely
-2 -1 0 1 2
L. Maintain facilities so they don't fall into disrepair and deteriorate
J. Maintain senior services including health, fitness,
nutrition, wellness, and transportation programs
I. Maintain childcare and supervised after-school programs for children and teens
B. Provide a disaster relief and emergency center, meeting earthquake and fire safety standards
D. Provide parks and a multi-generational center for
youths, teens, adults and seniors
F. Provide sports courts and fields for youth, teen and adult sports and a safe children's play area
H. Create and maintain multi-generational, sports, arts and crafts, fitness, and health and wellness programs for
youths, teens, adults and seniors
0.87 0.89
0.91 0.92
0.95 0.98
0.98 Much More
Likely
75.9%
71.7%
Tier 1
July 2025
Respondents Priorities For Community
Center (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, “No Effect” = 0, “Somewhat Less Likely” = -1, and “Much Less Likely” = -2.
Somewhat
More Likely
Somewhat
Less Likely
Much Less
Likely
-2 -1 0 1 2
O. Provide a community wellness center
G. Provide new outdoor walking paths, community
gardens and picnic areas
M. Provide community services, such as meal programs,
health screenings, and flu shots
A. Provide local recreational facilities and services
N. Provide youth mental health and wellness services and programs
C. Provide adult lap swimming, recreational and leisure swimming, and youth water play facilities
K. Provide an evacuation center during emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires and floods
E. Update the community center to meet current
earthquake and fire safety standards
0.62 0.74
0.75 0.77
0.78 0.79
0.85 0.86
Much More
Likely
Tier 2
69.6%
61.9%
68.7%
67.9%
Tier 1
July 2025
Informational Statements that Focus on Local
Control, Matching Funds, & the Age of the Center
Have the Strongest Salience
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
L. The existing community center, faces leaks and
structural deterioration. To ensure it can safely serve our community for generations to come, we must bring it up
to modern earthquake, electrical, fire safety, and…
V. None of the money raised by the measure would be
used for City administrator salaries
X. The more than 75 year old recreation center is bursting at the seams and cannot meet current demand for
programs. This measure would provide an updated space
that can meet the current demand for senior, adult, teen… U. The funds raised by this measure cannot be taken by
Sacramento or by the Federal Government's Department
of Government Efficiency or DOGE
F. The measure could be used to get matching funds from the State or County, so Belmont taxpayers don't have to shoulder the entire burden
1.26 1.27
1.29 1.29
1.29 No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 1
79.0%
76.9%
July 2025
Informational Statements (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
H. Developer fees paid on new construction will help pay for the new community center so taxpayers don't shoulder all of the burden
G. Large employers will pay their fair share to enhance Belmont's local recreational and program facilities
B. The measure will give Belmont local control over local funds for local needs - allowing Belmont to be self-reliant and requiring that our tax dollars are spent for Belmont residents. No funds can be taken by Sacramento
Q. The current community center is more than 75 years
old and was built as a school, and it is well beyond its useful life. We need an updated facility built for the
Belmont community of today that meets current…
W. More than 1,700 local Belmont youths attend programs at the community center every week and hundreds
participate in outdoor sports every day. They need a safe, repaired community center that has capacity for these…
1.22 1.24
1.25 1.25
1.25 No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 1
76.8%
75.4%
July 2025
Informational Statements (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
AA. The measure would provide residents an evacuation
center in the case of wildfire threats (like the Los Angeles fires), earthquakes, or other natural disasters
O. This measure will continue Belmont's high standards
for fiscal accountability and transparency by requiring that any money generated must be spent only on the
specified projects, and not for any other purpose
N. None of the money can be taken by the U.S.
Government or the State of California
C. This measure will ensure that critical safety and
program upgrades will be addressed, without taking
critical funds from services like 911 response, road and pothole repair, or fire safety
D. This measure includes independent citizens' oversight, mandatory financial audits, and yearly reports to the
community to ensure the funds are spent responsibly for community priorities
1.18 1.18
1.19 1.20
1.21 No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 1
72.3%
71.8%
July 2025
Informational Statements (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
K. Seniors would be exempt from this measure, helping
them age in place
E. The measure will provide active recreation programs
for seniors, adults, teens and children
Y. This measure will maintain supervised after-school
recreation and educational programs including mentoring and tutoring, that keep youths and teens off the streets and out of trouble
I. The old and outdated community center is in disrepair and does not match the needs of Belmont's current
community. Residents need a community center with
current amenities and space for use by local seniors,
youths and families
1.11 1.14
1.17 1.17
No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 1
74.2%
65.1%
July 2025
Informational Statements (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
J. The current community center serves as a place for
seniors to gather, exercise, and participate in community events safely
A. Belmont needs a disaster relief and emergency center in case of a medical catastrophe, natural disaster, school emergency, or any other state of emergency
T. In an emergency such as wildfire or earthquake, we
need a safe space to shelter from extreme weather, charge electronic devices and obtain information and help. This measure will help build a center that integrates these
needs to serve our community...
M. A safe and updated community center is necessary to
maintain the programs our residents desire in a center
that serves all ages, is accessible to all, and can provide relief and resources during an emergency
1.09 1.09
1.10 1.11
No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 1
69.8%
69.5%
July 2025
Informational Statements (Continued)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores:
“Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0. 0 1 2
S. The measure would help Belmont prepare for natural
disasters due to climate change including flooding,
mudslides, and wildfires
P. The updated community center will provide low cost
after school enrichment and tutorial programs for
children, and facilitate greater school and city
collaboration to enhance quality learning
Z. The updated community center can be a safe
community space during extreme weather and air quality
events, providing cooling, heating and smoke free air
R. The City of Belmont has not had a community pool for decades. This measure provides funding to meet the
current needs of Belmont residents and would provide
space for adult lap swimming, youth swim lessons and
locker rooms
1.04 1.06
1.07 1.08
No Effect Somewhat
More Likely
Much More
Likely
Tier 2
64.1%
65.1%
July 2025
Critical Statements
The survey also tested the impact of several critical statements and found that the key issues were the measure’s sunset; the additional amount an average homeowner might pay; City promises with respect to earlier revenue enhancement measures; economic uncertainty associated with tariffs, inflation and interest rates; debate over the cost of community center improvements; and the City’s use of available funds.
July 2025
After Information Hypothetical Support for
Community Center Measure Stays Stable
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Initial
Test
Final Test
22.4%
20.8%
35.2%
42.5%
10.7%
13.3%
14.7%
16.0%
17.0%
7.4%
Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No DK/NA/[Not sure]
63.3%
Belmont Community Center Safety
and Services Measure. Shall the
ordinance providing funding for and
maintaining supervised children’s
play and youth, teen/ adult
programs, childcare, afterschool/
senior programs in a disabled
accessible, fire/ earthquake
resistant community center, usable
as an emergency health/ disaster
relief facility, be adopted levying 33
cents per residential and 54 cents
per commercial per building square
foot in the city, providing $7,100,000
annually, until ended by voters, with
senior exemptions, independent
audits?
57.6%
July 2025
Reducing Rate of Residential Levy May
Increase Hypothetical Support for Measure
Instead of levying 33 cents per
residential and 54 cents per
commercial square foot of building
space to provide funding for and
maintaining supervised children’s
play and youth, teen and adult
programs, childcare, afterschool and
senior programs in a disabled
accessible, fire and earthquake
resistant community center, usable as
an emergency health and disaster
relief facility, an alternative measure
would levy 26 cents per residential
and 43 cents per commercial square
foot of building space.
Probably No
12.6%
DK/NA
8.5%
Definitely No
14.8% Definitely Yes
26.3%
Probably Yes
37.8%
Total Support
64.1%
July 2025
Respondents Appear to Prefer Retaining
the Power To End Measure Themselves
Instead of levying a per square foot
parcel fee until ended by voters to
provide funding for and maintaining
supervised children’s play and youth,
teen and adult programs, childcare,
afterschool and senior programs in a
disabled accessible, fire and
earthquake resistant community
center, usable as an emergency health
and disaster relief facility, an
alternative measure would levy the
parcel fee for 30 years.
Probably No
17.1%
DK/NA
12.8%
Definitely No
16.1%
Definitely Yes
25.3%
Probably Yes
28.7%
Total Support
53.9%
July 2025
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
4/20 Survey
11/20 Voters
6/23 Survey
11/24 Voters
5/24 Survey
11/24 Voters
7/25 Survey
11/26 Voters
32.9%
20.5%
25.1%
15.3%
16.6%
40.1%
49.1%
27.5%
42.6%
32.1%
20.8%
45.4%
7.8%
7.3%
5.0%
11.8%
Better About the same Worse DK/NA
Opinion on Future Direction of the
Economy
July 2025
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