HOW MEASURE J CONTINUES Funding Essential Services WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES
14% of El Cajon’s General Fund THIS 14% HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THE CITY’S GENERAL FUND TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR CRITICAL CITY SERVICES
Voters Passed J in 2008
THIS SMALL TAX INITIATIVE WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS 16 YEARS AGO— THERE IS NO NEW FISCAL IMPACT PROPOSED 75% of Every Half Cent Goes to Public Safety IF MEASURE J DOES NOT PASS THE CITY WILL NEED TO CONSIDER SIGNIFICANT CUTS, INCLUDING TO FIRE, PARAMEDIC, AND POLICE PERSONEL
El Cajon is not Alone MOST NEIGHBORING CITIES HAVE FROM A 1/2 TO A FULL CENT SALES TAX EXTENSIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR CITY FINANCING
Measure J: The Pulse of El Cajon’s Future As November approaches, El Cajon’s residents are poised to make a decision that will shape the City’s future. In early August, the El Cajon City Council voted to place a measure on the ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to continue a 1/2 cent sales tax approved in 2008. This measure included a twenty-year sunset clause and is up for renewal— not as a new tax, but as an extension of the current rate. This article explores the City Council’s decision- making process and what this continued revenue source means for the City and its residents. This isn’t an additional tax, but its renewal is critical to keeping the heartbeat of the City steady. The Significance of Measure J Currently, Measure J generates approximately $13.5 million annually for El Cajon’s General Fund, making up 14% of the total budget. About 75% of this revenue supports public safety: 25% funds the Fire Department’s paramedics and firefighters, while 50% supports the Police Department, including patrol, illegal camping enforcement, crime prevention, crime laboratory, and 911 dispatchers.
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Town Halls and Budget Challenges To engage residents, the City Council hosted evening and weekend town halls across the City. Participants learned how the City budget is funded, where the spending occurs, and what unique constraints are put on the City. Participants at the town halls reviewed the City’s budget and attempted to find ways to cut $13.5 million. The consensus was clear: such a drastic reduction would severely impact public safety services, leading to the closure of a fire station, significant reductions in the police force, and the shutdown of many parks and recreation centers.
Potential Cuts Impact
Public Safety Funding
30
55 SERVICE POSITIONS ARE FUNDED WITH MEASURE J REVENUE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 3%
PARKS & REC 5%
GENERAL GOVERNMENT 10%
PUBLIC WORKS 10%
168
9 53
6
5 27
3 14
2 13
35
FIRE RESCUE 22%
POLICE
FIRE RESCUE
PUBLIC WORKS
GENERAL GOV’T
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PARKS & REC
POLICE 50%
The Herculean Task of Replacing Measure J While the idea of growing the economy to replace Measure J’s revenue was frequently suggested, it is an unrealistic solution given market constraints. El Cajon’s local economy actually outperforms many other cities in San Diego County already, but the standard share of sales tax the City receives is not enough to cover the services demanded. This is primarily because the City receives a significantly smaller share of property tax revenue compared to neighboring cities and shoulders more regional responsibilities, making it difficult to cover the funding gap through economic growth alone. City Manager Graham Mitchell explained that replacing Measure J’s $13.5 million in revenue would require $1.3 billion in new annual retail sales. This is equivalent to adding six new Costco stores, 17 Home Depot locations, or 27 Target stores within El Cajon—a feat that is not feasible given the City’s current consumer base and available land for development. Picture adding six Costcos, 17 Home Depots, or 27 Targets to the City—an impossible feat in the required timeframe or property.
The Broader Context: Learning from Neighbors El Cajon is not alone in this fiscal approach. Many cities in San Diego County rely on additional sales tax measures to fund services:
• Chula Vista, Del Mar, National City, Solana Beach: 1¢ sales tax
• La Mesa : ¾¢ sales tax
• Oceanside, Vista: ½¢ sales tax
For more information or to share your thoughts, contact City Manager Graham Mitchell at citymanager@elcajon.gov. Your voice matters in this critical decision. Opportunity for Voters to Decide On August 6, 2024, after weighing options and conducting town halls and several information gathering polls, the City Council decided to let the voters determine whether to continue the current 1/2 cent sale tax measure or reduce public safety and other services. This decision underscores the importance of community input in shaping El Cajon’s future. Further, Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove, San Diego, San Marcos, and Santee are all considering various sales tax measures this November. This trend underscores the necessity of such measures for maintaining public safety and essential services. By continuing Measure J, El Cajon remains competitive and capable of meeting its residents’ needs. Taxpayer Oversight After careful and critical review of the City’s finances and spending, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association ® found Measure J as a responsible investment for the residents of El Cajon.
Graham Mitchell Highlights the El Cajon Town Halls
City of El Cajon 200 Civic Center Way El Cajon, CA 92020
FAQs
1. HOW DOES MEASURE J AFFECT MY SHOPPING? Measure J adds a ½ cent to every dollar spent. So, buying a $12 bottle of laundry detergent adds 6 cents. Necessities such as groceries, diapers and prescription drugs will not be taxed.
2. WHY NOT USE THE CITY’S RESERVES? El Cajon’s General Reserve Fund, sitting at about $60 million, would be drained in less than four years without Measure J. These reserves are for emergencies, not day-to-day expenses.
3. CAN PROPERTY TAXES COVER THE GAP? Unfortunately, no. The City of El Cajon collects the fewest property tax dollars per resident in the County of San Diego. This structural disadvantage makes Measure J crucial.
4. COULD ECONOMIC GROWTH REPLACE MEASURE J REVENUE? Not realistically. To replace Measure J’s revenue, the City would need an implausible surge in business growth, equating to growing its retail sector by 50%.
5. IS THE CITY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH MEASURE J FUNDS? Absolutely. El Cajon has earned accolades for financial transparency and efficient management. Independent audits consistently affirm the City’s prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
6. ARE THERE TAXPAYER PROTECTIONS BUILT INTO MEASURE J? Yes. Measure J includes an independent oversight committee made up of residents and individuals selected by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association ® and a local business advocacy organization. It also includes a twenty-year expiration clause, ensuring accountability and fiscal responsibility.
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