Reso. No. ___________
RESOLUTION NO.______
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA CALLING A MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, TO SUBMIT A MEASURE TO THE
REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF A GENERAL (SALES) TAX AND REQUESTING A CONSOLIDATION OF SUCH ELECTION WITH OTHER ELECTIONS BEING HELD ON THE SAME DATE.
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Santa Rosa wishes to call a Municipal Election to present to the registered voters of the City a measure, which, if approved, would authorize the imposition of a transactions and use tax as set for in the Ordinance No. ____________.
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Rosa wishes to maintain its quality of life, financial stability, and core programs and services that residents expect and deserve; and WHEREAS, the City has already made significant cuts to fire, police, and 911 response services to address budget shortfalls --without additional local funding, more service reductions are on the way; and
WHEREAS, without additional funding, the Fire Department may have to close fire stations on a rotating basis, which could slow emergency medical and fire response and put lives and property at risk; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Santa Rosa Community Safety/ Financial Stability Measure will help support the Santa Rosa Fire Department by keeping all fire stations open and running; and
WHEREAS, without expanding local funding sources, the City of Santa Rosa will be unable to maintain services residents have identified as priorities, such as fire protection, 911 emergency response, police response to violent crimes, fixing streets and potholes; addressing homelessness encampments, and keeping public places safe and clean; and WHEREAS, the Measure includes strict accountability rules and fiscal safeguards, requiring independent audits and public reports on how the money is spent, with every penny required to be used for Santa Rosa.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Santa Rosa that a Municipal Election is hereby called on November 3, 2026, at which time a transactions and use tax measure shall be submitted to the registered voters of the City of Santa Rosa. The full ordinance comprising this measure is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The form and wording of the measure as it is to appear on the ballot is as follows:
Reso. No. ___________
MEASURE _____
“City of Santa Rosa Community Safety/Financial Stability Measure.
Shall the measure maintaining Santa Rosa’s quality of life, 911 emergency medical, police response to violent crimes; keeping all city fire stations open and public places safe/clean; fixing streets/repairing potholes; addressing homeless encampments; maintaining police, fire protection, other services, by reauthorizing the existing, voter approved sales tax at an updated 1¢ rate, providing approximately $46,000,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits, public disclosure, local control, be adopted?”
Yes
_____
No
_____
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with the provisions of section 10403 of the Elections Code, the City Council requests that the Municipal Election, herein called, be consolidated with the Consolidated General Elections to be held on November 3, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Register of V oters of Sonoma County is authorized to do all things necessary and required to notice, hold and conduct the Special Municipal Election and to canvass the returns thereof, and that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the Registrar of V oter of the County to take any and all steps necessary of the holding of this Municipal Election and its consolidation with other elections to be held on the same day in the City of Santa Rosa and in accordance with Elections Code section 10411.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Santa Rosa acknowledges that the consolidated election will be held and conducted in a manner prescribed by Elections Code 10418.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Santa Rosa recognizes that an additional cost will be incurred by Sonoma County by reason of the holding of this Special Municipal Election and its consolidation, as described above, and agrees to reimburse the County for such costs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council, in accordance with Elections Code section 9285(b) hereby adopts the provisions of Elections Code section 9285(a) so as to permit rebuttal arguments, as described in Elections Code section 9285(a), on the measure to be placed on the ballot under the provisions of this resolution. This authorization is repealed, and the provisions of Elections Code section 9285(a) shall not apply, thereafter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the City Attorney, who shall prepare an impartial analysis of the ballot measure.
Reso. No. ___________
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the County Clerk, and the Registrar of V oters of the County of Sonoma.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 28th day of July, 2026
AYES:
NOES:
ABEST:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
ATTEST:____________________ APPROVED:____________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________
City Attorney