COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa City Council has released the Citizens Oversight Committee’s Measure B report for the first full year the city has collected an additional 1% of sales taxes on the purchase of goods and services.
The council formed the committee after voters approved a four-year tax increase in 2022 to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, officials said.
Fiscal year 2023-2024 was the first full 12-month cycle the taxes were collected, said Secretary Mark Leidner, when presenting the report at the council’s Jan. 21 meeting. Colusa collected $1,183.425 in additional revenue, and spent $700,000 on roads, after the committee recommended 70% of the taxes generated go toward street improvements.
Leidner said the committee’s recommendations are updated after consulting department heads.
“Obviously, you are never going to spend exactly what is recommended, but overall, the committee feels these funds were used in accordance with the public’s intention and the law’s intention,” Leidner said.
The committee had initially recommended that the police and fire departments receive 2% each ($23,669), but nothing has been allocated in the past 12 months based on their current requirements, which will vary yearly. Leidner said this approach ensures that funding is allocated efficiently and reflects changing priorities.
In addition to the $700,000 from Measure B, the city expended $500,000 from the Cannabis Fund for road improvements.
The committee had allocated $153,845 for park improvements but spent or allocated $223,000 in the 2023-24 fiscal year due to need.
Of the projects completed, $175,000 from Measure B and $125,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds were used to construct the new inclusive playground at CD Semple Park. The city’s opening ceremony for the new park has been rescheduled to 3:30 pm on Thursday, March 6, due to the event being canceled by last week’s inclement weather.
The committee also allocated $70,000 from Measure B funds for tree maintenance, with the City Council authorizing City Manager Jesse Cain to contract with West Coast Arborists up to $20,000 to prune and trim 42 trees.
The Citizens Oversight Committee, which includes Vicki Pulsifer, Christian Cowsert, Ralph Newlin, and Marilyn Acree will serve through 2027, coinciding with the sunset of the sales tax increase unless renewed by voters in 2026.