October 1, 2024, Item #5DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Summary: M EMQRAN DLJ M CityofPoway October 1, 2024 Members of the City Council Steve Vaus, Mayor Opposition to Measure G: Measure to Fund San Diego County Transportation, Infrastructure, and Safety Projects Through a Half-Cent Sales Tax Elected leaders should do all they can to lower the cost of living for San Diegans. But Measure G on the November ballot would do just the opposite. It aims to add a half-cent sales tax primarily to fund mass transit projects which would bring no benefit to Poway. It is important to remember, the San Diego Association of Governments (SAN DAG) has failed to deliver transportation improvements promised in 2004 when the original half-cent tax was approved. And that current tax is on the books until 2048! Measure G would double that primarily to fund public transit while continuing to ignore the highway improvements promised decades ago. Adding insult to injury, this Measure G money grab comes at a time when SAN DAG is under Federal investigation and has lost the trust of Board members and taxpayers. To even consider saddling taxpayers with another sales tax increase when electricity, gas, fire insurance, housing, and even grocery costs have gone through the roof is utter insanity. We need relief and belt-tightening, not piling on to the already high cost of living. Recommended Action: I ask for City Council's concurrence to submit an open letter to the Residents of Poway stating the City Council's strong opposition to Measure G, urging residents to vote NO on Measure G and imploring SAN DAG to deliver on promises made to voters in 2004. Until and unless those highway improvements are completed and SANDAG has put its house in order they should not get another penny from taxpayers. Attachments: None. 1 of 2
October 1, 2024, Item #5Reviewed/Approved By Assistant City Manager 2 of 2 Reviewed By: Alan Fenstermacher City Attorney Approved By: Ch~ City Manager