The end of the journey toward the Measure A “roads tax” special election is in the headlights. Voters cast their ballots today, June 2, on a general purpose quarter-cent sales tax increase, promised for road safety and repair. The tax, designed to inject funds into repairing Sonoma County’s aging road network, will raise $20 million per year over the next five years to contribute to the $1 billion project. It needs a simple majority to pass.
Under Measure A, 44 percent of all funds raised would go to the county for road safety. The remainder would be split between the nine cities within the county, again intended for use on road and transportation projects.
Supporters of the ballot say the county’s roads rank among the worst in the state, and the network is in desperate need of repair. With better roads, supporters argue, the safer environment will lead to a reduction of accidents, more efficient transportation and faster response times for emergency services.
Opponents of the measure question whether the revenues will go toward roads, as promised, saying general fund revenue can be used at the whim of county officials who, in the end, are under no obliation to earmark it for road repair.
They argue that, given the wording of the measure, any act of improving safety, which includes funding law enforcement and emergency services, would qualify for the tax revenue. Opponents say the county should have classified Measure A as a specific purpose tax, which would require a two-thirds voter approval.
Absentee ballots were collected May 4 and polling ends June 2. If passed, Measure A takes effect immediately.
County supervisor Susan Gorin said, “This is going to be a very close vote. We’re not sure at this moment whether it will pass or not.”
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