NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the person(s) whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate a petition within the City of San Clemente for the purpose of enacting a local one-cent sales tax dedicated exclusively to protecting San Clemente from natural hazards-specifically beach erosion and wildfire risk. A statement of the reasons of the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows:
Statement of Reasons:
San Clemente faces growing natural hazard threats that put our future at risk: disappearing beaches caused by decades of sand loss and expanding wildfire danger in our hills and open spaces. Many neighborhoods east ofl-5 are now officially designated by Cal Fire as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. These threats endanger our homes, schools, neighborhoods, small businesses, beaches, and overall quality of life.
This citizen-led initiative provides a locally controlled solution, dedicated to the public benefit of reducing wildfire risk and restoring San Clemente's beaches-funds split evenly between Beach Protection and Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness.
A modest 1 % local sales tax (one penny per dollar spent-excluding groceries and prescription drugs) ensures visitors and tourists share the cost. This new, stable local funding source also unlocks state and federal grants that require matching funds.
All revenue is legally restricted and cannot be used for general city spending. An independent financial oversight committee and annual public reporting will ensure full transparency and accountability.
Investments from the Beach Protection Fund include:
• Sand replenishment, nourishment, and retention
• Beach erosion control
• Maintenance and repair of the beach trail, pier, beach front public restrooms, and coastal access points
Investments from the Fire Protection and Wildfire Preparedness Fund include:
• To strengthen emergency response and wildfire readiness, support City-authorized fire and EMS services-including Orange County Fire Authority and/or other City-contracted providers. • A new city-managed program to reduce wildfire hazards across thousands of acres of open space and private lands by removing overgrown, flammable, and invasive vegetation using targeted goat and sheep grazing, mechanical clearing, and follow-up maintenance. • Restoration of native, fire-resilient vegetation to stabilize soils and prevent the regrowth of flammable invasive species.
• Community wildfire preparedness: public education and engagement with neighborhood resilience initiatives.
This measure will keep us safer, strengthen community resilience, and protect lives, property, and beach access-while preserving the quality of life that defines San Clemente.
The measure includes a fixed 10-year term. with a required public vote in Year 8 to determine whether it should be extended for one additional 10-year period-balancing urgent action with long-term accountability and local control.
The longer we wait, the more severe and more expensive it will be to protect our town.
Attachment 4