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1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.govJune 2, 2026, Ballot MeasuresCity Council March 3, 2026City Manager’s Office RiversideCA.gov2
ELECTION CONTEXT & TIMELINE•City Council on January 27, 2026, directed staff to bring forward possible ballot revenue measures for the June 2, 2026, election.•Local tax measures only in even-numbered years under California Constitution.•June 2, 2026, is the next available electionfor local tax measures.•Next opportunity after 2026 is 2028.•Critical Deadline: March 6, 2026 1 2
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2 RiversideCA.gov3
GENERAL FUNDRevenues$ 382,200,000 Expenditures$ 382,200,000 PLUS $268 million in Grants General FundRevenuesGrants$382M$268MWHY CONSIDER A REVENUE MEASURE RiversideCA.gov4
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES IN FY 2026(PROGRAM AREA)Public Safety, $210.95 M, 56%Parks, Arts, and Culture, $59.10 M, 16%Public Works, $35.34 M, 9%Debt Service, $28.20 M, 8%Community and Economic Development, $22.46 M, 6%Government Administration, $14.46 M, 4%Housing and Homelessness, $3.04 M, 1%Excludes Water GFT, Section 115 Trust Transfer, and various citywide personnel budget not directly attributed to a program category. 3 4
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3 RiversideCA.gov5
MEASURE Z EXPENDITURES IN FY 2026Public Safety, $74.97 M, 70%Police Dept - $48.56MFire Dept - $19.74MOther - $6.68MPublic Works, $15.73 M, 15%Fiscal Discipline / Responsibility,$1.67 M, 1%Parks, Arts, and Culture, $8.84 M, 8%Facility Capital Needs, $2.50 M, 2%Operational Needs, $3.15 M, 3%Quality of Life, $0.64 M, 1% RiversideCA.gov6
Equals 1 Callevery 11minutes35% Increasein Fire Calls for Service since 2015Calls for Service2024: 44,6702025: 47,000+WHY CONSIDER A REVENUE MEASURE…EMERGING NEEDSNew State Fire Map Adds 13,356 Riverside Parcels into High-Risk Fire Area 5 6
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KEY FINDINGS FROM MASTER PLAN STUDY
Response Times are Longer Than Accepted Performance TargetsService Demand Is Growing Faster Than CapacityHigh Call Concurrency Creates System OverloadCurrent Staffing Levels Are Insufficient to Meet Service DemandFire Station Infrastructure Must Expand and Modernize RiversideCA.gov8
SERVICE DEMAND IS GROWING FASTER THAN CAPACITY
37,53241,09944,29943,45144,67047,00050,00052,00054,00056,00059,00071,00083,00037,00042,00047,00052,00057,00062,00067,00072,00077,00082,0002020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2035 2040PROJECTED INCREASES225 FirefightersNo Increase in Staffing in Last Seven YearsSince Last New Station (2007) +72% INCREASE Since Last Staffing Increase (2018) +26% INCREASEService Demand7 8 2/19/2026
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Ratio (per 1,000)PopulationFirefightersCity1.35197,000267Glendale1.16138,000160Pasadena0.89449,000400Long Beach0.894,100,0002,700L.A. City0.77350,000270Anaheim0.74170,000129Corona0.69325,000225RiversideFirefighter Staffing Levels Compared to Regional PeersMaintaining approximately 0.95 firefighters per 1,000 residents is critical to reducing overload conditions, meeting response-time standards, and preparing the Fire Department for continued growth.CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS ARE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET SERVICE DEMAND RiversideCA.gov10
CURRENT STATION COVERAGE
Current System Baseline (2025)•14 Stations•20 Staffed Units•225 Firefighters•325,000 Residents•47,000 Calls for ServiceStation location alone does not determine response performance. Unit availability and staffing levels drive response times and overload conditions. 9 10
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FIRE STATION 10
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RESPONSE TIMES ARE LONGER THAN ACCEPTED PERFORMANCE TARGETSWHY TIMING MATTERS? – STRUCTURE FIRES •Fire often confined to contents or a single room•High likelihood of containment with first-arriving engine0-3 MINUTES •Flashoverconditions approach•Fire transitions from contents to structure involvement4-5 MINUTES •Fire spreads beyond the room of origin•Rescue survivability drops sharply•Additional units are required, increasing system strain6-7 MINUTES 7+ MINUTES•Fire spreads throughout multiple rooms or floors•Structural integrity deteriorates•Additional units are required, further increasing system strainFires DOUBLE in size every minuteGoal Average Response TimeCurrent Average Response Time6:007:3811 12 2/19/2026
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RESPONSE TIMES ARE LONGER THAN ACCEPTED PERFORMANCE TARGETSGoal Average Response TimeCurrent Average Response Time6:007:38WHY 6 MINUTES MATTERS? – EMSIt aligns with the biological limits of survivability,not arbitrary policy goals.•Brain injury begins at 4–6 minutes without oxygen•Survival decreases 7–10% per minute without intervention•Early arrival improves defibrillation success and neurologic outcomesCARDIAC ARRESTSTROKE•Every untreated minute destroys approximately 1.9 million neurons•Earlier intervention significantly improves long-term function and survivabilitySEVERE TRAUMA•Mortality increases by approximately 4% for every minute of delay•Early stabilization reduces complications and length of hospital stay RiversideCA.gov14
HIGH CALL CONCURRENCY CREATES SYSTEM OVERLOAD2024 Load Conditions Overload26%Critical Overload2%Overloadoccurs when simultaneous emergencies exceed normal response capacity, reducing response reliability across the city.•Begins at 4–6 concurrent incidents•Few units remain available for new emergencies•Response times increase and coverage gaps emerge•A single wildland fire or complex incident can trigger overload•Occurs at 7+ concurrent incidents•Most or all frontline units are committedCritical overload occurs when available emergency resources are effectively depleted, leaving little to no immediate response capability•New emergencies face significant delays or require outside assistance•A single structure fire can place the system into critical overloadCRITICAL OVERLOADOVERLOAD13 14 2/19/2026
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Overload26%Critical Overload2%HIGH CALL CONCURRENCY CREATES SYSTEM OVERLOAD203571,000 Calls202547,000 Calls204083,000 Calls Overload40%Critical Overload4%
Overload54%Critical Overload6%Without staffing increases, rising call volume will push the Fire Department into sustained overload, increasing response times and risk to residents and firefighters.
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STUDY RESULTS – RIGHT SIZING STAFFINGPhase 1: Correct Current Response Deficit (Immediate Need)Phase 2: Maintain Response Performance as the City Grows (Sustained Growth)Projected Response TimeStaffing IncreaseFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)PopulationYear6:00+843090.95325,0002025Projected Response TimeIncremental Staffing IncreaseFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)EstimatedPopulationYear6:00+193280.95345,50020306:00+203480.95366,00020356:00+193670.95386,5002040Current Staffing LevelsCurrent Response TimeFirefightersRatio(per 1,000)PopulationYear7:372250.69325,000202515 16 2/19/2026
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$19.2M$29.9M$117.1M2040FUNDING STRATEGY TO SUSTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERFORMANCE$8.7M$17.4M$65M2025$65MGeneral Fund Budget$8.7MCapital Debt Service$17.4MNew Personnel$79.1MGeneral Fund Budget$10.8MCapital Debt Service$19.9MNew Personnel$96.2MGeneral Fund Budget$15.0MCapital Debt Service$24.9MNew Personnel$117.1MGeneral Fund Budget$19.2MCapital Debt Service$29.9MNew PersonnelPHASE 1PHASE 2$15M$24.9M$96.2M2035$10.8M$19.9M$79.1M2030 RiversideCA.gov18
Overload26%Critical Overload2%IF WE DO NOTHING -- HIGH CALL CONCURRENCY CREATES SYSTEM OVERLOAD203571,000 Calls202547,000 Calls204083,000 Calls Overload40%Critical Overload4%
Overload54%Critical Overload6%Without staffing increases, rising call volume will push the Fire Department into sustained overload, increasing response times and risk to residents and firefighters. 17 18
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WHAT CAN BE COVERED BY MEASURE Z? UNFUNDED NEEDNEEDEDMEASURE Z AVAILABLEYEARPhase 1: Correct our Response Capability (Immediate Need)$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2025$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2026$26.1$26.1Fully Committed2027Phase 2: Maintain our Response Capability (Sustained Growth)$30.7$30.7Fully Committed2028$29.1$30.7$1.62029$27.2$30.7$3.52030$32.8$35.3$2.52031$31.3$35.3$4.02032$29.3$35.3$6.02033$31.9$39.9$8.02034$26.9$39.9$13.02035$25.9$39.9$14.02036$44.2$44.2Measure Z Sunsets2037$44.2$44.22038$44.2$44.22039$49.1$49.12040 RiversideCA.gov20
OTHER EMERGING NEEDS
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OPTION A Part 1: MEASURE Z EXTENSION
Without Renewal in 2036:•Significant drop in general fund revenue and loss of critical public safety fundingKey Benefits of Extension:•Predictable revenue continuity•Supports 30-year capital financing•Essential for maintaining and enhancing current public safety levels RiversideCA.gov22
OPTION A Part 2: 0.25% SALES TAX MEASURE•Estimated annual revenue: ~$21 million•Impact: 25 cents on $100 purchase•Competitive within Southern California•Approval: Simple majority vote•Revenue type: General purpose fundsDoes Not Apply To: Groceries, Prescription Drugs, Medical Devices, Insulin, Haircuts, Gas, Utilities, Rent, Farm Equipment, Feed Increase Rate from 8.75% to 9.00%21
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REGIONAL SALES TAX RATES
RateCity7.75%Irvine8.75%Ontario, San Bernardino, Corona, Moreno Valley8.75%Riverside (Current)9.00%Bakersfield9.25%Cathedral City9.25%Palm Springs9.25%Santa Ana9.75%Los Angeles10.25%Pasadena and Pomona10.50%Glendale and Long BeachProposed 9% - Competitive RiversideCA.gov24
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: OPTION AEXTEND MEASURE Z and 0.25% SALES TAX•Predictable revenue continuity•Supports 30-year capital financingTo continue maintaining general local city services such as 911, fire, police response; preparing for wildfire; recruiting/retaining well-trained firefighters/paramedics; preventing crime; keeping public areas safe/clean; addressing homelessness; repairing potholes/roads; shall a measure renewing the existing City of Riverside voter-approved transaction and use (sales) tax at an updated 1¼¢ rate, providing approximately $106,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring audits, spending disclosure, all funds controlled locally, be adopted? Key Benefits of Extension•Essential for maintaining and enhancing current public safety levels23 24 2/19/2026
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OPTION B: NEW 0.25% SALES TAX MEASURE(No Extension of Measure Z)•Estimated annual revenue: ~$21 million(fully implemented)•Consumer impact: 25 cents on $100 purchase•Rate remains competitive within Southern California•Approval requirement: Simple majority vote•Revenue type: General purpose funds for City priorities Increase Rate from 8.75% to 9.00%
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To maintain City of Riverside’s general city services such as 911, fire,police response; help prevent crime; prepare for/respond to wildfires;keep public areas safe/clean; recruit/retain well-trainedfirefighters/paramedics and police; address homelessness; repairpotholes/roads; support senior services; shall the measure establishinga ¼¢ transaction and use (sales) tax, providing approximately$21,000,000 annually until ended by the voters, requiring audits,public spending disclosure, all funds controlled locally, be adopted?OPTION B: NEW 0.25% SALES TAX MEASURE(No Extension of Measure Z) Increase Rate from 8.75% to 9.00%•Estimated annual revenue: ~$21 million•Impact: 25 cents on $100 purchase•Approval: Simple majority vote•Revenue type: General purpose funds25 26 2/19/2026
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OPTION C: EXTEND MEASURE Z and TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT) INCREASE •Current annual TOT revenue: ~$8.6 to 8.9 million•Revenue impact Existing Hotel Inventory: 1% increase generates $640,000 annually•Growth opportunity: –1,000+ new hotel rooms in the pipeline –Potential to generate an additional $6.8 million with TOT increase•Potential use: Convention Center expansion and tourism marketingIncrease from TOT from 13% to 14% RiversideCA.gov28
RIVERSIDE ALIVE – NEW DOWNTOWN CENTER
•Expanded Convention Center•Two Hotels •15-Story Class A Office Building•Outdoor Venue Space•Parking 27 28 2/19/2026
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CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION STUDY
EXPANDEDNOWJULY 2025 STUDY400232EVENTS137,00080,000ATTENDEES32,60019,300HOTEL NIGHTS Convention, Sports & EntertainmentFacilities Consulting RiversideCA.gov30
TOT RATES: REGIONAL COMPARISON
TOT + TBID TBID RateTOT RateCity13.00%0%13%Riverside (Current)13.75%2%11.75%Ontario12.50%-14.50%1%11.5-13.5%Palm Springs13.75%-15.75%2%11.75-13.75%San Diego15.50%1.5%14%Los Angeles17.00%2%15%Anaheim29 30 2/19/2026
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OPTION C: TWO QUESTION REVENUE MEASUREExtend Measure Z and Increase TOTBALLOT QUESTION ONE:Without raising the tax rate, to maintain City of Riverside’s general city services such as911, fire, police response; prepare for/respond to wildfires; recruit/retain well-trainedfirefighters/paramedics; prevent crime; keep public areas safe/clean; addresshomelessness; shall the measure renewing the existing voter-approved Measure Z 1¢transaction and use (sales) tax, providing approximately $83,000,000, until ended by thevoters; requiring independent audits, spending disclosure, funds remaining for Riverside,be adopted?BALLOT QUESTION TWO:To maintain local funding federal/state governments cannot take and City funds forservices such as public safety; youth/senior programs’ libraries/parks; improve the City ofRiverside Convention Center to promote tourism/economic growth, shall the measureupdated the City’s existing transient occupancy tax (paid only by hotel/motel guests)from 13% to 14%, providing approximately $640,000 annually until ended by voters;requiring audits and public spending disclosure, be adopted? RiversideCA.gov32
Staff Recommendation – Option ADoes Not Apply To:Groceries, Prescription Drugs, Insulin, Medical Devices, Haircuts, Gas, Utilities, Rent, Farm Equipment, Feed Ballot Measure June 2, 2026•Extend Measure Z Existing Sales Tax•Increase Sales Tax by 0.25% Wait on Hotel Tax till 202831 32 2/19/2026
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Option A (Transaction and Use (Sales) Tax Renewal and Update):That the City Council:1. With at least five affirmative votes, adopt the attached resolution calling for a municipal election to be held June 2, 2026, for a measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Renewal Measure" and requesting consolidation with the statewide election;2. With at least five affirmative votes, introduce and subsequently adopt the attached Ordinance amending Chapter 3.08, entitled “Transaction and Use Tax” (sales), of the Riverside Municipal Code to extend and update the existing transaction and use (sales) tax, to become operative and enforceable upon approval by the voters of the City of Riverside of the measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Renewal Measure";RECOMMENDATIONS RiversideCA.gov34
Option A cont.3. Consent to the Registrar of Voters rendering election services to the City as requested by the City Clerk and as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Riverside;4. Direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of an impartial analysis; and5. Determine if the Mayor or Members of the City Council wish to author ballot arguments.6. Direct City staff to develop and implement a stakeholder/outreach plan to educate and inform residents and businesses of the proposed revenue measure.RECOMMENDATIONS33 34 2/19/2026
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Option B (Supplemental (Stand Alone) Transaction and Use (Sales) Tax):That the City Council:1. With at least five affirmative votes, adopt the attached resolution calling for a municipal election to be held June 2, 2026, for a measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Protection Measure" and requesting consolidation with the statewide election;2. With at least five affirmative votes, introduce and subsequently adopt the attached Ordinance adding Chapter 3.09, entitled “Supplemental Transaction and Use Tax” (sales) of the Riverside Municipal Code to adopt a ¼ cent transaction and use (sales) tax, to become operative and enforceable upon approval by the voters of the City of Riverside of the measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Protection Measure;"RECOMMENDATIONS RiversideCA.gov36
Option B cont.3. Consent to the Registrar of Voters rendering election services to the City as requested by the City Clerk and as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Riverside;4. Direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of an impartial analysis; and5. Determine if the Mayor or Members of the City Council wish to author ballot arguments.6. Direct City staff to develop and implement a stakeholder/outreach plan to educate and inform residents and businesses of the proposed revenue measure.RECOMMENDATIONS35 36 2/19/2026
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Option C (Transaction and Use Tax Extension and Transient Occupancy Tax Increase):That the City Council:1. With at least five affirmative votes, adopt the attached resolution calling for a municipal election to be held June 2, 2026, for a measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Protection Measure" and requesting consolidation with the statewide election;2. With at least five affirmative votes, adopt the attached resolution calling for a municipal election to be held June 2, 2026, for a measure entitled, "City of Riverside Hotel Tax Measure" and requesting consolidation with the statewide election;RECOMMENDATIONS RiversideCA.gov38
Option C cont.3. With at least five affirmative votes, introduce and subsequently adopt the attached Ordinance amending Chapter 3.08, entitled “Transaction and Use Tax” (sales), of the Riverside Municipal Code to extend the existing transaction and use (sales) tax, to become operative and enforceable upon approval by the voters of the City of Riverside of the measure entitled, "City of Riverside Services Protection Measure;"4. With at least five affirmative votes, introduce and subsequently adopt the attached Ordinance amending Chapter 5.32, entitled “Transient Occupancy Tax” (hotel/lodging), of the Riverside Municipal Code to update the existing transient occupancy tax, to become operative and enforceable upon approval by the voters of the City of Riverside of the measure entitled, "City of Riverside Hotel Tax Measure;"RECOMMENDATIONS37 38 2/19/2026
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Option C cont.5. Consent to the Registrar of Voters rendering election services to the City as requested by the City Clerk and as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Riverside;6. Direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of an impartial analysis; and7. Determine if the Mayor or Members of the City Council wish to author ballot arguments.8. Direct City staff to develop and implement a stakeholder/outreach plan to educate and inform residents and businesses of the proposed revenue measure.RECOMMENDATIONS39