On Monday, the San Pablo City Council voted unanimously to place a ½-cent local sales tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
If approved by voters, it would increase the City’s sales tax rate from 9.5% to 10% for the first five years, before decreasing to 9.75% for the final five years, and is projected to generate an estimated $2 million annually in locally controlled funding. – to pass, it requires a simple majority vote.
If approved by voters, this locally controlled funding could be used to support City services and community priorities including crime prevention, police protection, daily senior meal programs, and continuing the youth scholarship program, which is set to lose its federal funding in December.
City Manager Matt Rodriquez shared that San Pablo is confronting mounting fiscal pressures driven by inflationary cost increases, aging infrastructure and deferred maintained obligations, rising public safety costs and growing community needs – he added many local services require reliable funding sources.
“General fund revenues remain insufficient to fully address the city’s current and projected service and infrastructure needs,” said Rodriquez.
He said without more revenue, the city is looking at challenging fiscal decisions and reduced service levels, program reductions, and quality of life issues.
He said, the city is facing a $4.4 million deficit for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28, San Pablo had to rely on one-time, “rainy day” emergency reserves, funds strictly meant to be protected for major emergencies or catastrophic events.
“Like most cities in California who are dealing with fiscal challenges, San Pablo ha continued to use emergency one-time reserves to shore up deficits,” explained Rodriquez. “This is not a sustainable practice.”
Dr. G. Gary Manross, SRI Inc. shared data with the council and the findings from a voter survey—which included a sample size of 300 people including a sampling error of 4.5 to 5.8%. The survey was taken May 28 – June 10, 2026.
He said the survey showed high satisfaction scores and constituents want you to continue to proving services, but 83% are not aware of financial health.
“It is absolutely essential that you reach out to your community and let them know of these challenges,” said Manross. “It is imperative that you reach out and let people know and understand what is going on with fiscal challenges.
Results:
- I am a happy to be a resident: 86% agree while 9% disagreed
- Satisfied with City Sponsored Services & Program: 79% satisfied while 16% dissatisfied
- How satisfied are you with city owned parks, trails and rec facilities: 79% satisfied with 8% dissatisfied
- Level of street maintenance: 63% satisfied with 26% dissatisfied
- City’s effort towards preventing illegal dumping: 52% satisfied, 36% dissatisfied
- Satisfaction with senior services: 53% satisfied with 6% dissatisfied
- Satisfaction with youth services: 57% satisfied with 10% dissatisfied
- Satisfaction with quality of education: 51% satisfied with 23% dissatisfied (Noting, this is measuring overall quality of life)
- City’s effort towards assisting the homeless: 40% satisfied with 37% dissatisfied
- Aware of overall financial health of the city: 83% not aware, 31% aware
- If you learn about these issues from somebody you trust, does that make you concerned – 87% percent were concerned and 100% were concerned.
Results: Increasing Sales Tax
According to Manross, the survey results showed just 45% likely supporting the sales tax measure, however, the “potential yes” jumped to 62%. The likely support he believed was to be 59.5%.
He believed with proper messaging and outreach, the city would have 50%+1 support.
When asked residents if they would support a ½ cent sales tax for 5 years and a ¼ cent for 5 years (10 years total) – support jumped to 51.5% likely yes with opinion leaders at 57%.
“This sends a message to your voters that you are not greedy and your need is real,” said Manross. “That you are willing to take that ½ percent for 5 years and willing to reduce it for the second 5 years.”
He said the city should focus on maintaining what they have, ensure citizen oversight, and no applied threats of cutting services – even though in reality they will be faced with cuts. He also said arguments for the sales tax actually made the support level be reduced by threatening service cuts, deficit spending, roads maintenance. He also added there is a “mood” regarding affordability nationally and in the state.
Commentary:
Councilmember Patricia Ponce said it was super important they make the community aware of the challenges they face.
Councilmember Rita Xavier explained the one thing that San Pablo doesn’t want to do is be like other cities dipping into their reserves where they ended up in “big trouble” and they didn’t want to get there.
Shawn Ray, speaking on behalf of the San Pablo Police Officers Association spoke in favor of the sales tax measure calling it a temporary 10-year bridge to protect services and build a thriving local economy.
Eugune Kolosov, president of the San Pablo Police Employees Association, also expressed support for placing the sales tax measure on the ballot. He said the city needed to have a stable and sustainable financial foundation calling the measure would strengthen the foundation by providing locally controlled revenue to support essential services and future needs.
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Sales Tax Rate Timeline
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From the City of San Pablo
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