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Measure M - Parks for All
What is Measure M - Parks for All?
Sonoma County voters on Nov. 6, 2018 approved Measure M – Parks for All, a one-eighth cent sales tax that will help support Sonoma County’s regional and city parks. Approved by 72.6 percent of voters, the “Sonoma County Parks Improvement, Water Quality, and Fire-Safety Measure” provides dedicated funding for parks for 10 years.
Measure M – Parks for All will help to support Sonoma County and its cities with their long-term needs to maintain, protect and operate parks. The tax will generate an estimated $11.5 million annually, with an estimated $7.6 million a year going to Sonoma County Regional Parks and an estimated $3.8 million a year total going to the nine cities within Sonoma County.
An integral part of the proposed measure is its expenditure plan, which details how the revenue can be spent (use the link below in the Resources section to view the Expenditure Plan). The county and cities will individually determine how best to prioritize their funding projects, and a citizen oversight committee will ensure funds are used as intended.
What is Santa Rosa’s allocation of revenue?
As the largest city in Sonoma County, with over 50 percent of the county-wide population, Santa Rosa will receive an estimated $1.9 million per year, and a total of $19.1 million over 10 years, to help support the City’s 72 community and neighborhood parks.
How may the funds be used in Santa Rosa?
The revenue that is dedicated to the nine cities, including Santa Rosa, must be used to support local city parks and recreation needs, and may not be used to reduce existing funding for parks and recreation. The revenue is to be used within one, or all, of the following seven categories:
- Maintain parks and recreation facilities to ensure safe, clean, accessible visitor experiences
- Improve and develop athletic fields, playgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas, and visitor amenities
- Create and expand parks, trails, bikeways, public art, and recreation & historical facilities
- Plan and develop bike paths and trails with connections to schools, community spaces, and regional trails
- Provide recreation, education, and health programs for the community
- Decrease future fire risks, fuel loads, and invasive plants on city-owned open space parks
- Improve trails along waterways and riparian areas to benefit fish, wildlife habitat, and water quality
When is the funding available and what are the City’s plans?
Measure M – Parks for All funding went into effect in April 2019. The City of Santa Rosa has dedicated the first two years of funding (2019 – 2020) estimated at $3.8 million to support the restoration of city parks damaged during the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires.
In 2020, City staff will be reaching out to engage with the community to determine citizens’ desires for how to prioritize spending the remainder of Santa Rosa’s portion of funding, estimated at $15.3 million, which is to be generated during years 3 -10 (2021 – 2028).
Beginning in January 2020, community members will be asked to provide their input through a series of community meetings and workshops held throughout Santa Rosa, and through surveys and online forums.
Interested citizens are asked to submit their email address using the link (top right of this page) to receive updates on the City’s Measure M – Parks for All outreach and planning. Please also check back to this website after January 6, 2020 for further information, including the schedule for initial outreach meetings and surveys.