Measure H campaign raises $222,450 to persuade voters to approve 1% sales tax
The campaign for Measure H — Modesto’s 1% sales tax on Tuesday’s ballot — has reported raising $222,450 for its efforts to persuade voters to support the tax.
The Modesto Police Officers Association has been the biggest contributor, giving $50,000 to the campaign, which is called the Committee For a Better Modesto, according to records filed with the City Clerk’s Office.
But unlike Modesto’s unsuccessful efforts to pass a sales tax in 2013 and 2015, this campaign has received the majority of its contributions from well-known residents and businesses.
That includes Sierra Pacific Distribution Services ($2,500), Pacific Southwest Container ($5,000), Mayor Sue Zwahlen ($2,500), entrepreneur Dan Costa ($5,000), PMZ Real Estate CEO Mike Zagaris ($5,000), Basic Resources ($10,000), J.S. West Milling Co. ($5,000), Boyett Petroleum ($10,000) and former Chamber of Commerce President-CEO Cecil Russell ($1,000).
Campaign chairwoman Kristin Olsen — who has contributed $1,000 — said Measure H has broad support because residents and businesses understand the city faces financial challenges and needs more resources. She added it helps that City Council members are working well together. The council voted unanimously in June to put the tax on the ballot.
There is no organized opposition to Measure H.
The Modesto City Fire Fighters Association has contributed $3,000, and the International Association of Fire Fighters has given $12,500.
As a general tax, Measure H requires a simple majority to pass. If approved by voters, the tax is expected to bring in $39 million annually to the city’s $171.4 million general fund. About 80% of the fund is spent on public safety. Measure H would increase the city’s sales tax from 7.875% to 8.875%.
The city has said its general fund revenues are growing but not as fast as expenses, primarily employee wages and benefits. The city has balanced the fund over the years by not filling vacant positions, delaying maintenance and reducing services.
That has meant fewer police officers and firefighters, a backlog in park maintenance, extra years before city trees are trimmed and less traffic enforcement.
“The members of the MPOA understand how vital Measure H is to the future of Modesto,” MPOA President Dan Starr said in an email. “Modesto police officers live in this community, and we want to see it become a city that people are proud of and want to live and work in.”
The Police Department is allocated 210 sworn officers, from the police chief to the newest officer. Starr said in his email that eight of the 210 positions are frozen and 26 are open and unfilled, leaving the department with 34 vacancies. The city freezes open positions as a cost-savings measure.
Modesto can spend the tax on any general service it provides. But city officials say the tax will be spent on such basics as increasing public safety, addressing homelessness, reducing blight and making parks cleaner and safer. The City Council also is required to form a nine-member community oversight board to monitor how the tax is spent.
The campaign’s expenses include $29,784 to MTA Brown Mail Masters Plus, $8,634 to H&S Signs, $5,739 to Gowans Printing, $16,995 to Mike Lynch Consulting and $19,480 to the political consultant CrossCurrents.
