What is Measure M?
Measure M provides locally controlled funding for essential services to ensure that the City’s ongoing budget deficit does not impact vital services, community safety and quality of life. Voting Yes on M increases the local general sales tax rate paid by residents and visitors by 3/4¢. Novato’s sales tax rate is the second lowest in Marin County. Of the 8.5% sales tax collected in Novato, only 1.25% returns to the City of Novato. If approved by voters, 100% of Measure M funding will stay in Novato. No funds can be diverted or taken away by the County or State.
Why do we need Measure M?
For several years, the City of Novato has experienced a growing budget deficit. This year, the deficit is projected to be over $2 million and will continue to grow without service reductions or enhanced revenue. Novato also lacks the funding needed to maintain and improving aging local infrastructure like streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. We need Measure M to protect our essential services and keep Novato safe and strong.
What types of services would Measure M help protect?
Measure M provides local funding for local needs and would be used to protect essential services and infrastructure in Novato, including:
-
Fixing potholes and maintain city streets
-
Maintaining 9-1-1 emergency response and public safety services
-
Attracting and retaining small businesses
-
Maintaining parks and recreation programs and facilities
-
Reducing the risk of wildfires
Has the City already made deep cuts?
Yes. To address the budget deficit, over 30 city staff positions have been eliminated. Investments in local roads and parks have been drastically reduced. Without Measure M, further cuts will have to be made that directly impact essential services.
How can we be sure funds from Measure M would be spent properly?
Measure M requires an independent citizens oversight committee, annual audits, and mandatory public spending disclosure to ensure funds are spent properly. By law, no funds can be diverted or taken away.
How much will Measure M cost?
Measure M would increase the local sales tax rate paid by anyone shopping in Novato by 3/4% and generate approximately $10.3 million annually to protect essential services and improve aging infrastructure like streets and parks. It would add 7.5¢ to a $10 purchase or 75¢ to a $100 purchase and 100% of the funding raised in Novato, stays in Novato for local essential services.
Does Measure M increase the cost of essential purchases like groceries and prescription medicine?
No! Essential purchases like groceries and prescription medicine are exempt from general sales tax to ensure the cost is not a burden to those on fixed or limited incomes.
With Measure M, would Novato’s sales tax rate be higher than neighboring communities?
No! Even with Measure M, Novato’s sales tax rate will be the same or less than neighboring communities like San Rafael and Petaluma.
Do visitors shopping in Novato contribute to Measure M?
Yes! Sales tax is paid by anyone shopping in Novato, not just residents. This ensures that people visiting Novato pay their fair share for the roads, services, and infrastructure they use while in Novato and doesn’t place a burden only on residents.
Does Measure M help Novato access federal, state and regional funding?
Yes, Measure M provides the local matching funds needed to access federal, state and regional funding that will otherwise go to improve streets and infrastructure in other communities.
Has the Marin Civil Grand Jury been critical of Novato’s fiscal management?
Last year, the Marin Civil Grand Jury studied Novato’s structural budget deficit and made recommendations for eliminating the deficit. Most of the recommendations have already been adopted. One of the Grand Jury’s recommendations is to ask local voters to bring Novato’s sales tax rate to the same level as communities like San Rafael to maximize the portion of local sales tax dollars that stay in Novato for local needs. Measure M asks local voters to approve this recommended action.
How long would Measure M last?
Novato’s budget deficit is an ongoing problem that requires an ongoing solution. Measure M would continue until ended by voters or the City Council. In fact, Measure M requires the City Council to revisit whether the funding is still needed after ten years and at regular intervals thereafter.
Who supports Measure M?
Measure M is supported by the entire Novato City Council, former Novato mayors and city councilmembers, Novato’s police officers, elected leaders like Supervisor Eric Lucan, longtime Novato residents, and others.
When will we vote on Measure M?
Measure M will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot. All registered voters in Novato will receive a ballot by mail in early October. You can vote by mail, drop your ballot in a drop box, or vote in person at a designated vote center. As soon as you receive your ballot, please vote YES on Measure M!
Who can vote on Measure M?
All voters registered in the City of Novato are eligible to vote on Measure M. If you need to register to vote, please visit https://registertovote.ca.gov/.
Measure M Frequently Asked Questions
