COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa Citizens Tax Oversight Committee said they will recommend the City Council allocate no less than 70% of Measure B funds for the repair and construction of streets and roads.
Colusa officials anticipate the 1% sales tax increase will bring in an excess of $1.5 million annually over the next four years, and that street repairs best reflect the desire of the public, who voted for the increase in the Nov. 8, 2022, election.
“We’ve had a lot of time to think about this,” said Marilyn Acree, who was pleased the five members of the committee were able to put forth a unanimous recommendation, based on averages of what they first proposed.
In addition to the 70% allocation to roads, the oversight committee recommended that Parks and Trees each receive 13 percent of the revenue, with police and fire each receiving 2%.
The city has collected more than $400,000 in new sales taxes since April and is on track to collect even more than anticipated if fuel prices remain high.
City staff had initially proposed splitting the revenue so that 50% of the revenue would go toward park and streets ($733,499) combined, and 25-30% would go to both the police and fire departments ($366,750), however, city officials said they fear voters may reject making the increase permanent in 2026 if they don’t see some tangible results, despite the cost of street repairs being far more than what the general public understands.
While the percentages will be allocated to the departments annually, City Manager Jesse Cain said he may have to develop street projects that anticipate multi-year funding.
The committee said they plan to use the city’s website and social media to inform the public of the actual costs of street and park projects, as well as the cost to trim, remove, and replace trees, in addition to notifying the public when projects are occurring or finished.
While the committee will make its recommendation to the City Council, the allocations are not binding. Cain said the council could reallocate the money based on pressing or emergency needs in any general fund department.H
Tax Committee Pegs Streets for Funding
