Dear Council Members and City Staff,
I ardently opposed Measure U as I felt it would simply go into the General Fund and disappear.
I felt reassured when Council emphasized the need for infrastructure repair – from roads to parks to sidewalks to City buildings. Now, I see that promise on infrastructure has not been honored.
The recent budget has this note regarding the City’s infrastructure needs. “Not fully funding the maintenance and replacement of City assets, such as streets, parks, buildings, and drainage systems. It takes about $1 million/year to maintain what we currently have. We are allocating $450,000 or 40% of the anticipated revenue from Measure U for these purposes, per the Council policy discussed (above).” Page 17 https://www.cityofsebastopol.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Agenda-Item-Number-12- FY25-26-Proposed-Budget-Agenda-Item-Report_FINAL.pdf
I ask that the Council meet its infrastructure obligation as was promised with the passage of Measure U.
Please honor the commitment that Council made to the public regarding the use of the new sales tax.
Thank you,
Kate Haug