To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Transportation
Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
|
Department Contact: |
Howard N. Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
|
Department Contact: |
Katharine Elliott |
Phone: |
707-234-6885 |
|
Item Type: Regular Agenda |
|
Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Adoption of Resolution Calling for an Election to Present to the Voters of the Unincorporated Areas of the County a Proposed Ordinance Adding Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 to the Mendocino County Code, Imposing a One Percent (1.0%) County Transportation Transactions (Sales) and Use Special Tax in the Unincorporated Areas of the County, and Ordering Consolidation of Said Election with the Consolidated General Election Called for November 3, 2026
(Sponsor: Transportation)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution calling for an election to present the voters of the unincorporated areas of the County with a proposed Ordinance that would add Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 of the Mendocino County Code, imposing a one percent (1.0%) transactions (sales) and use special tax in the unincorporated areas of the County, with said tax being used to fund pavement preservation and corrective maintenance for County roads and to improve road maintenance staffing; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
At the January 13, 2026 Budget Workshop, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) received a presentation from the Department of Transportation (DOT) outlining the potential for a one percent transactions and use special tax to be used to fund pavement preservation and corrective maintenance for County Maintained Roads and to improve road maintenance staffing. Said tax would be collected in the unincorporated areas of the County only, with no overlap with the incorporated (city) areas. At the March 10, 2026 BOS meeting, the BOS also received a presentation of voter opinion polling and an assessment regarding the imposition of this special tax.
Summary of Request:
The proposed addition of Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 of the Mendocino County Code would impose a one percent (1.0%) transactions (sales) and use special tax to be used to fund pavement preservation and corrective maintenance of County Maintained Roads and to improve road maintenance staffing. If enacted, this special tax could generate approximately $5.5 million in revenue annually and may qualify the County to receive State “Self-Help County” funds that could increase revenue to approximately $6 million annually. New revenue of $5.5-$6 million annually could provide about 20 miles per year of durable road surface repair, which would be sufficient to treat the 337 miles of roads that are not in the current Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) 20-Year Corrective/Preventive Maintenance Plan in approximately 18 years.
This resolution would submit the proposed transaction (sales) and use special tax to the voters for approval at the November election. As a special tax, the measure would need to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the electorate residing in the unincorporated areas of the County.
Alternative Action/Motion:
The Board could not adopt the resolution calling for an election to present to the voters of the unincorporated areas of the County a proposed ordinance adding Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 of the Mendocino County Code, which would mean that the ordinance would not be presented to the voters residing in the unincorporated territory of the County for approval in the November 2026 general election.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
|
source of funding: Road Fund |
|
current f/y cost: None |
|
budget clarification: FY 26/27: $60,000 (estimated) |
|
annual recurring cost: No |
|
budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
|
revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
|
Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
|
Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
|
|
Number: |
|
|
|