1 Parks Funding Initiative
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
May 19, 2022
David DeLong, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Michelle McGurk, City Manager’s Office
Ballot Measure Options
Type of Measure Votes Necessary to Pass Restrictions
Municipal General Obligation
Bond
2/3 Acquisition of real property or
improvement of real property only
Parcel Tax for General or Special
Purposes
2/3 Any municipal purpose. Tax cannot be
based on value of property.
Any general tax except local sales
tax (Transactions and Use tax)
50% + 1 vote Any municipal purpose.
Any special tax except local sales
tax (Transactions and Use tax)
2/3 Municipal purpose defined in the measure.
General local sales tax* 50% + 1 vote Any municipal purpose. (Subject to rate limitations.)
Special local sales tax* 2/3 Municipal purpose defined in the measure. (Subject to rate limitations.)
2 *San José has no additional sales tax capacity. It would require an act of the State Legislature to increase.
Recent Actions Taken
• Citywide polling commenced in January 2022
• Four parcel tax measures tested: Parks (2), Neighborhood Improvements/BeautifySJ (1), Clean Creeks (1)
• Initial polling showed low receptivity, difficulty meeting 2/3 threshold • Polling suspended to save resources, consider November options • Key concerns:
o COVID-19 fatigue
o Increasing housing costs
o Increasing costs for gasoline, utilities, and food
o Concerns about inflation and future recession
3 Future Steps
• Continue fostering awareness about how Parks & Recreation serves the community
• Engage and educate key stakeholders about existing commitments and community expectations in view of resource/sustainability issues and needs
• Explore creative funding options to advance when the time is right • Resume polling in mid- to late 2023
4