November Ballot: San Diegans Support Tax Measures to Fund Stormwater Systems and City Infrastructure

Inundated by severe flooding, displacement, and infrastructure failures from recent storms, San Diego has made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

San Diegans have spent the better part of these last few months attempting to rebuild from the ‘thousand-year’ storms that destroyed many of our communities. The social, economic, and environmental tolls of climate change are overwhelming. Yet, despite these risks, our city’s infrastructure and resilience measures remain grossly underfunded. Our communities are bearing the brunt of budget deficiencies, with critical projects falling through and unfulfilled promises.

Climate Action Campaign and San Diego Coastkeeper surveyed San Diegans to understand how they plan to respond to new funding opportunities on the November ballot.

What is measure A?

In response to recent devastating storms and flooding, Measure A seeks to protect vulnerable San Diegans against flood impacts and improve water quality. 

Measure A would establish a parcel tax of 2.5¢ per square foot of impermeable area, exempting low-income seniors until ended by voters. This revenue would improve and protect water quality, capture rain and stormwater to increase safe drinking water supplies, prepare for future drought, and safeguard public health and marine life by reducing the pollution, trash, toxins, and plastics entering San Diego waterways.

Currently, the Office of the City Auditor is restricted to legal assistance exclusively from the City Attorney’s Office for audits and oversight of city operations, even when the City Attorney’s Office is the subject of said audit. Measure A would allow the City Auditor to engage independent legal counsel with budget approval from the City Council.

What is measure B?

San Diego City Council’s Rules Committee unanimously supported a 1¢ sales tax to generate revenue to repair neighborhood streets and sidewalks, update police, paramedic, and 9-1-1 equipment and facilities, improve parks and library facilities, and improve general city services and infrastructure. If passed, citizen oversight and independent audits will ensure transparency and accuracy, and the tax is estimated to generate $400 million annually. 

* Measure B will continue to go through the Rules Committee and then be presented to the City Council before being placed on the November ballot.

In February, when voters were asked if they believe the City of San Diego is moving in the right direction, there was a decrease in the number of voters confident in the city’s direction compared to those surveyed in January. This shift can likely be attributed to a variety of factors. Notably, January saw California’s ‘thousand-year’ storm and, by February, San Diegans faced the devastating reality of aging drainage systems, inadequate flood defenses, and a lack of maintenance. With a long call sheet of unanswered community requests, waning confidence in the city’s ability to protect residents from upcoming disasters is expected. 

Survey results reflect this sentiment, with San Diegans likely to vote yes to both a parcel tax to fund storm system and water quality improvements and a sales tax to fund other city infrastructure projects. 

When asked whether they would support a parcel tax on impermeable land to fund water quality and storm system improvements, 59% of respondents were likely to vote yes. 

They were equally supportive of a one-cent sales tax that would generate revenue to improve other city services, with 58% of respondents likely to vote in support. 

The bottom line is that voters want both funding opportunities. Our communities recognize the urgent need to invest in infrastructure of all kinds. 

Our communities are at the frontline of climate impacts; we’re seeing the daily effects of increasing temperatures, worsening storms, deteriorating water infrastructure, and crumbling roads. We’re in a race against climate change, and our communities demand our policies reflect that urgency. 

The message from this survey is clear: action is non-negotiable. Budget constraints shouldn’t compromise our health and safety; it’s time to invest in crucial city projects and disaster management. 

This survey reflects our commitment to uplifting the voices of our community and empowering voters with necessary information on how they can shape the future of our region. 

San Diegans refuse to co-sign the continuation of underinvestment and its impacts, and are committed to funding the improvements they want to see in their communities. The upcoming election offers us a historic opportunity to create the equitable and sustainable San Diego we deserve.