City of Sebastopol
Consideration of Sales Tax Measure
JULY 16, 2024
Strategic Approach:
We Can Create a Path Forward
•Sales Tax Increase: Substantial on-going revenue
•Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District: Support
infrastructure, buildings, projects
•Fire Consolidation: efficiencies and revenue
•Economic Development, including Hotels
•Efficiencies and Reduced Costs
No Sales Tax
Major Reductions
No $ for asset preservation
Risk of exhausting fund balance in three years or less
¼ Cent Scenario: $760,000/year
$800,000 in future cuts, or forego preserving assets, or mix of the two ½ Cent Scenario: $1,520,000/year
Preserve Services and Assets
Competition with “Our Kids, Our Future”
6 64% approve of the job the City of Sebastopol is
doing providing services to residents
Question 2: In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job the City of Sebastopol is doing providing services to residents?
63.7%
29.3%
7.0%
Approve Disapprove Unsure
7 Support by tax amount
70.3%
23.3%
6.3%
Vote yes Vote no Unsure
71.7%
21.0%
7.3%
Vote yes Vote no Unsure
½ Cent Sales Tax ¼ Cent Sales Tax
Examples of Possible Uses
▪Addresses property crime
▪Pool, Senior Center, Community Center, Parks, etc.
▪Earthquake/emergency preparedness
▪Improve and maintain streets
▪Support community services – non-profits, youth programs Comparison to Other Cities
City Current Rate
Cotati 9.50%
Petaluma 9.50%
Santa Rosa 9.25%
Sebastopol 9.25%
Healdsburg 9.00%
Rohnert Park 9.00%
Sonoma 9.00%
Cloverdale 8.50%
Windsor 8.50%
Recommendations
1. Adopt resolution placing sales tax measure on the ballot ◦ Determine if ¼ or ½ cent
◦ Either requires 4/5 vote of the Council
2. Appoint up to two Councilmembers to prepare argument in favor of measure, and rebuttal to any arguments
submitted against measure