Marina voters in November will decide on a utility users tax to help fund new city facilities.
After multiple years of discussions and public meetings, the Marina City Council agreed to put the question on the ballot on July 7, but will make adjustments to the wording of measure in early August.
Marina’s city hall and council chambers on Hillcrest Avenue operate out of what was supposed to be temporary trailers that were built in 1975. Decades of wear and tear have taken a toll on the buildings, as city officials have shown during regular public tours of the facilities. Its neighboring police and fire station, built in 1993, has also proven to be too cramped to house both of these departments as the city continues to grow.
The city estimates it needs $58 million to construct new buildings. A bond measure in 2024, despite getting 60 percent in favor, failed to meet the 66-percent threshold.
Now, the city is turning to a 7-percent utility users tax that applies to water, gas, electric, telecommunications and video. Those who are eligible for PG&E’s CARE program, as well as those ages 65 and older who are at or below 80 percent of the county’s area median income, would receive a 3.5 percent rate. The tax is estimated to generate $3.8 million annually.
Because the measure is a general tax, it requires a majority of voters in favor to pass. A recent survey of likely Marina voters found that it would surpass that threshold.
A site for the new buildings has not yet been determined. That process will take place after the election.
Councilmember Liesbeth Visscher said the city will still need to construct new buildings in the near future, even if the measure fails.
“The only way we can get enough money then is by cutting services,” she said. “There’s no other way. It won’t be cutting into our police or fire, so guess what it will be? It will be recreation. The things that make it so enjoyable to live here.”
Councilmember Brian McCarthy said he continues to struggle with the tax measure, but agreed to place it on the ballot to let the voters decide. He noted that the district he represents has a large number of low-income residents who are barely getting by as costs continue to rise.
“We’re in the midst of a K-shaped economy and the struggle is more real than ever,” he said.
Mayor Bruce Delgado noted the proposed ballot text was not as specific as it should be, as it did not mention the need for a new city hall building and only indirectly referring to a police and fire station.
He suggested removing references to maintaining clean drinking water and repairing streets, which the funds from the tax are not expected to go toward, and add language about providing adequate city buildings. Delgado also wanted to include a 30-year sunset on the tax.
The council agreed to the changes, and directed staff to come back with revised language at the Aug. 5 council meeting.