Parks funding tax measure could be heading to Sonoma County voters for renewal

A ballot measure to renew a one-eighth sales tax benefiting city and county parks is likely to come before Sonoma County voters in November, this time with no end date.

Measure M, the 0.125% sales tax measure that voters passed in 2018, is set to expire in 2029. Since its implementation in 2019, the measure has generated over $89 million, of which the county and cities have spent nearly $70 million.

Officials now want to renew the measure, with one change – allowing it to continue without a sunset date, meaning it would remain in effect until voters overturn it via another ballot measure. The one-eighth sales tax charge and the share of revenue distributed to the cities and the county would remain the same.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously supported placing the measure on the November ballot, but will have to take a second vote this summer to complete the process.

"It's been incredible for this county. It's not just a matter of park acreage, it's what the parks offer, how much value it gives to folks that live here every day," Caryl Hart, chair of the campaign that has formed to support the measure, told the board on Tuesday. Hart, of Occidental, is a former county regional parks director and current member of the state Coastal Commission.

The proposed tax extension is likely to be one of several on local ballots six months from now.

Among those moves, Santa Rosa Junior College trustees are weighing whether to go forward with what would be another record bond measure to support capital projects and other programming. That proposal could be as much as $830 million. The board will consider its next steps in a 3 p.m. meeting Thursday, May 21.

Of the nearly $70 million in Measure M revenue spent between fiscal year 2019-20 and 2024-25, about $15 million has gone to cities and about $54.5 million has been put towards county parks through projects falling under three categories: improved access, natural resources and maintenance, safety and recreation, according to a 2025 Measure M expenditure report.

An extended measure would generate an estimated $15.5 million annually, with 33%, or a total of $5.1 million, going to the county's nine cities. The distribution among cities is calculated based on population. Under that formula, Santa Rosa receives the largest share, an estimated $2.6 million annually, followed by Petaluma and Rohnert Park with $866,400 and $646,010 respectively. Cotati receives the smallest share of $106,881 annually, according to county records.

The bulk, about 66%, goes to the county. Several of the counties parks are located within cities including Spring Lake and Taylor Mountain regional parks in Santa Rosa, and Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol.

Measure M spending is reviewed by an oversight committee, consisting of seven appointed members who review expenditures and annual audits, and provide annual reports to the public.

On Tuesday, several city representatives - from Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park and Healdsburg - urged the board to place the proposed extension on the November ballot. The officials described projects advanced through Measure M funds, including disability access improvements in Windsor parks and renovations at the Finley Aquatic Center in Santa Rosa.

Olivia Lemen, Windsor's Parks and Recreation director, praised the ability to use Measure M funds for new projects and to support ongoing programs.

"That flexibility has allowed us to remain responsive to the changing needs of our community over time," Lemen said.

Buffy McQuillen spoke on behalf of the tribal council for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which partners with the county on land stewardship, including for Tolay lake Regional Park east of Petaluma.

"Measure M has done more than fund parks, it has created the long-term stability necessary to protect landscape, restore ecosystems and build lasting partnerships," McQuillen said. "The tribe is proud to financially support this renewal effort. We are already building the next generation of land-based partnership with the county and we see this work continuing into the future."

County regional parks officials launched efforts to explore renewing Measure M last July through one-on-one meetings with city managers, mayors and council members across the county's nine cities, according to a staff report.

A public survey of 632 Sonoma County registered voters conducted last fall, found 74% of those surveyed supported bringing the tax back for renewal, according to the staff report.

"The timing is right to go now, polling looks really good, the program is working, it's successful," Dennis Rosetti, a consultant for the Parks for All citizen's campaign, said in a Monday interview.

Meda Freeman, communications manager for Sonoma County Regional Parks, said putting the renewal measure on the ballot in November, rather than waiting until closer to the expiration date would help the county and cities plan ahead.

"Waiting too long could create uncertainty that affects staffing, delays projects and makes it harder to compete for outside grants." Freeman said in an email. "Asking voters now helps avoid potential funding gaps and supports consistent park services for the community."

Supervisor David Rabbitt on Tuesday said it felt fitting to bring a Measure M renewal effort back to voters during his last year in office, citing Petaluma's need for more parks as one of the reasons he first sought public office two decades ago.

"We benefited greatly from this measure and we'll continue to benefit greatly going forward, said Rabbitt. "I believe the people of this county will make the right decision going forward."

Altogether, special, voter-approved Sonoma County-wide sales taxes add 2% on top of the state rate of 6% and other special sales taxes approved inside city boundaries.

Sonoma County special tax measures

*Dates indicate year approved/extended

Measure F (2006)*: 0.25%, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District

Measure Q (2008): 0.25%, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

Measure M (2018): 0.125%, County and city park upgrades and maintenance

Measure DD (2020): 0.25%, roads, transportation and transit upgrades

Measure O (2020): 0.25%, mental health, drug treatment and homelessness programs

Measure I (2024): 0.25%, child care and children's healthcare programs

Measure W (2024): 0.125%, Sonoma County Library

Measure H (2024): 0.5%, fire services, staffing

Voters in Sonoma and Marin counties are set to weigh the future of one of those regional taxes in the June 2 primary: the quarter-cent levy that helps cover operations for Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit.

If the eighth-cent tax extension for parks makes it to the November ballot and passes, it will take effect after the current Measure M expires in 2029. In order to pass, it will require support from two-thirds of voters.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MurphReports.

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