Measure M | californiachoices.org

My vote

CITY OF FRESNO—Would increase retail transactions and use tax by 1/8% for 20 years to fund facilities and services for veterans in the City of Fresno, bringing the current sales tax rate to 8.475%. Measure M requires at least ⅔ of voters approving to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Would raise approximately $19.5 million annually for each of the 20 years it is in effect.

See Endorsements for Measure M

Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Proponents of Measure M argue there are no greater heroes in the City of Fresno than the men and women who were called into the defense of our nation and that Measure M is a way we can repay that debt to our city's 20,000 veterans. They argue Measure M funding will end 50 year's worth of deferred maintenance and modernize these facilities to serve veterans organizations and the public at-large, enable the City of Fresno to invest in mental health, social services, and job training programs to help veterans, and help bring an end to homelessness among our veteran community.

A YES vote on this measure means: A 1/8% retail transactions and use tax would be imposed for 20 years to be expended for veterans support per the Expenditure Plan.

Con:

Opponents of Measure M argue that the statutes regarding local measure elections apply to every county and state “how is it then, that all these public officials, who you pay, combined, millions of dollars a year, have never (never means not once) put a local measure on the ballot that follows the law?" in their official argument against the measure.

A NO vote on this measure means: A 1/8% retail transactions and use tax would not be imposed for 20 years to be expended for veterans support per the Expenditure Plan.

In Depth

The City of Fresno has placed Measure Mon the November 8, 2022, ballot to ask the City's voters to approve a retail transactions and use tax of 1/8% for 20 years to fund facilities and services for veterans in the City of Fresno. This measure would increase the City's current sales tax rate to 8.475%.

City staff estimate that Measure M will raise approximately $19.5 Million annually. Proceeds of Measure M will be deposited into a special fund entitled the Veterans Support Fund and may only be spent as allowed by the Expenditure Plan contained in the measure.

Under the Expenditure Plan, Measure M proceeds would be allocated as follows: one-third to services; one-third to facilities; and one-third to either services or facilities. Facilities projects may include, but are not limited to, improvements to the Fresno Memorial Auditorium, VFW Posts, the American Legion Hall, affordable housing for veterans and other capital and maintenance projects. Services would include, but not be limited to, assistance with affordable housing, job training and placement, mental and/or physical health care and administrative costs. Proceeds may be loaned, pledged, or granted to assist veterans and/or for capital projects.

Measure M also requires annual reporting on expenditures, formation of and oversight by a citizens committee composed of veterans. The Council may delegate duties to the committee or to special veterans district, should one be created.

The City Council may amend the Ordinance in the future; however, the tax rate and purposes of the measure cannot be changed without voter approval.

Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure M

Voter Resources

Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters