Dixon City Council to consider one-cent sales tax measure

The primary election might be Tuesday, but Dixon is looking ahead to the November general election.

That is not only when residents will be voting in the City Council and school board races, but the city is also considering a one-cent sales tax for general city revenue purposes. A ballot measure for Dixon voters' consideration will go before the City Council at its Tuesday meeting.

According to a staff report by City Attorney Doug White, the measure proposes to establish a one-cent sales tax to provide approximately $3.1 million annually to assist with fire prevention, rapid 911 emergency response, neighborhood police patrols, disaster preparedness, street and pothole repair, attracting and retaining local jobs, crime and drug prevention and for general government use.

“The City of Dixon… needs additional revenue to protect the City's longterm financial stability and maintain services for thousands of City citizens every year at the levels they expect and deserve,” White wrote.

The measure, White wrote, seeks to provide funding that can not be taken by the state with funding to be used only for local services. The initiative would require a majority of votes cast by qualified voters to be approved. White wrote that it would not be a tax on homes or properties, and a large portion of it will be paid by outside visitors “who will pay their fair share to use City streets, 911 and other services.”

“Further, the Measure requires strict accountability provisions, including independent citizen oversight with public disclosure of all spending, mandatory financial audits, and public reports to the community,” he wrote.

In keeping with California Elections Code, proponents and opponents of the proposed measure are eligible to file a written argument in favor of or rebutting against the measure respectively. Arguments in favor may not exceed 300 words in length, and arguments against can not exceed 250 words.

“The Resolution provides that the City Council authorizes a subcommittee to draft the argument in support of the Measure and the rebuttal and does not authorize the City Council as a body or any individual member of the Council to file a written argument or any rebuttal argument for or against the Measure,” White wrote. “The City Attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of the Measure showing the effect of the Measure on the existing laws and the operation of the Measure pursuant to Elections Code section 9280.”

The measure is the city's second attempt at a sales tax in recent years. In 2018, a half-cent sales tax initiative known s Measure N was placed on the ballot to fund street repairs and transportation infrastructure over a period of 10 years. It was defeated with 62% of the vote.

In addition to the proposed measure, the resolution also seeks to declare a general municipal election be held Nov. 8 and to resist the Solano County Board of Supervisors consolidate the county election with the statewide general election and give permission for the registrar of voters to render election services.

In other business, the council will consider a budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year and receive a presentation from White on amendments to the Municipal Code regarding noise.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 600 E A St. The meeting can also be viewed online at Cityofdixon.us/MeetingAgendasMinutesVideos.