Board of supervisors place 9-year, half-percent sales tax on November ballot
Measure proposes countywide sales tax to fund local and regional transportation priorities
–The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors took the final step in a year long process to place the region’s first transportation-only revenue generating sales tax on the November 2016 ballot. The San Luis Obispo County Self-Help Local Transportation Investment Plan will now go to the voters this fall.
The ballot measure proposes a 9-year, countywide half-percent sales tax to fund only local and regional transportation priorities. The plan, which was influenced by a comprehensive public outreach program that asked residents to identify their priorities for future transportation programs and projects, was also approved by all seven cities in the county and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments.
“Today marks a major milestone for transportation funding in our region,” said Ron De Carli, SLOCOG executive director. “With the ongoing decline in state and federal transportation funding, SLO County residents now have the ability to decide if they want to raise local funds for local transportation priorities.”
According to the Self-Help Counties Coalition, 84-percent of California residents currently live in a Self-Help County. Self-Help Counties deliver voter-approved (by super-majority) transportation sales tax measures that fund roads, transit, highway, freight, bicycle, pedestrian and other mobility programs. Together, these counties pump $4 to $5 billion each year into California’s transportation infrastructure, creating jobs, expanding mobility and enhancing local communities and the environment.
The plan provides fifty-five percent of funds for local control by the jurisdictions for use on their priority projects, including road repair and maintenance. Twenty-five percent of the funds will be used to reduce growing traffic congestion on major roadways and highways. Ten percent will fund bike and pedestrian safety and connectivity projects and programs. The final ten percent of the plan supports public transportation including services for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. The plan also has multiple safeguards written in, including; protection from state raids, a 9-year sunset date, the formation of a Citizens Taxpayer Oversight Committee, a 1-percent administrative expense cap, and annual audits and reporting.
To see the entire plan and to learn more visit www.selfhelpslo.org.
