Introduction

At its meeting on June 28, 2022, the Sausalito City Council voted unanimously to place Measure L on the ballot for the General Municipal Election on November 8. If approved by a majority of voters, the measure will extend and expand the 0.5% local sales tax (aka transactions and use tax) that is slated to expire in 2025.

From the Marin County Registrar of Voters

• Text of Ballot Measure
• City Attorney Impartial Analysis of Measure L
• Argument in Favor of Measure L

Informational Mailers from the City of Sausalito

• Mailer #1
• Mailer #2

About Measure L

Measure L would increase the existing local sales tax from 0.5% to 1% for a period of ten years. If passed, the measure will generate an estimated $2.8 million annually to support essential City services, including maintenance to our storm drains and roadways.

Sausalito's storm drains are more than 80 years old, and many are deteriorated and rusted through. This allows pollutants, garbage, and plastics to spill into the bay. Meanwhile, many of our streets and roads are riddled with cracks. While the City has made major improvements to our streets and sewers in recent years, it has lacked the funds to tackle many high-priority projects.

More facts about Measure L:

• Essential purchases such as groceries and prescription medicine are exempt from the tax.
• All funds must stay local to fund local services and programs and cannot be taken away by the State of California.
• The use of funds raised from Measure L will be subject to annual independent audits.
• Shoppers and visitors from other communities must pay local sales tax. A study commissioned by the City estimates that 60.3% of Bradley-Burns sales tax revenues in Sausalito are collected from non-residents. The City anticipates that the same percentage would apply to revenues collected under Measure L.

Registration and Vote-By-Mail Information

• If you are not yet registered to vote and you wish to do so, you may do so securely by visiting registertovote.ca.gov. If you fail to register before October 24, conditional voter registration and same day voting will begin on October 25. More information is available on the website of the Marin County Registrar of Voters.
• Ballots will be sent out to all registered voters starting October 10. If you have not received your ballot by October 17, please call the Marin County Elections Department at (415) 473-6456.