To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Transportation
Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Howard N. Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Department Contact: |
Katharine Elliott |
Phone: |
707-234-6885 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Introduction and Waive Reading of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 of 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, with Said Tax Being Used to Fund Pavement Preservation and Corrective Maintenance for County Roads and to Improve Road Maintenance Staffing
(Sponsor: Transportation)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Introduce and waive reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 5.160 to Title 5 of 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, with said tax being used to fund pavement preservation and corrective maintenance for County roads and to improve road maintenance staffing.
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 (sales) and use 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 received a further presentation of voter opinion polling and an assessment regarding the imposition of this special tax.
Summary of Request:
This ordinance would adopt, subject to approval by two-thirds of the voters in the unincorporated areas of the County, a one percent (1.0%) transactions (sales) and use special tax to be used to fund pavement preservation and corrective maintenance for County Maintained Roads and to improve road maintenance staffing. If enacted, this 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.
The Ordinance includes an Expenditure Plan, which Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.5 requires to be included as part of the ordinance. Specific projects that fall within this Expenditure Plan would be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval before July 1 each year. The tax would become operative in 2027 and would not expire until such time as it is repealed by the qualified voters of the County.
Alternative Action/Motion:
The Board could not introduce and waive reading of the ordinance that would add Chapter 5.160 of Title 5 to the Mendocino Code imposing a County Transportation Transaction (Sales) and Use Special Tax, 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:
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source of funding: Road Fund |
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current f/y cost: None |
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budget clarification: FY 26/27: $60,000 (estimated) |
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annual recurring cost: No |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
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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
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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