We need to expand funding to improve the critical City services that make San Mateo a great place to live, work and raise a family. Measure CC will ensure the City can:

• Maintain parks, open space and recreation facilities, including courts, fields and playgrounds.

• Fix potholes and improve local streets and infrastructure. Improve sidewalks, bike lanes and intersections to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

• Provide quick response to 9-1-1 emergencies. Provide police and crime prevention services and maintain emergency medical and fire protection services.

✔  Won’t Raise Your Taxes

This will not impact your taxes! Only properties sold or transferred for $10 million or more will pay a modest, one-time 1% tax increase. This tax is expected to impact less than 1% of property sales in the City and generate an estimated $5 million annually.

✔  Address Unmet Needs

The City has implemented a number of fiscal sustainability measures to reduce expenses during the pandemic and although we are emerging from the pandemic in a relatively good financial position, there continues to be unmet demand for infrastructure and service enhancements. There are $300 million in unfunded capital improvements, including $90 million in recreation facilities needs. Funding is still needed for library enhancements, sustainability initiatives, repaving streets, and service enhancements to address homelessness and prevent crime. 

The City plans to spend down Rainy Day Reserves over next 5 years just to maintain core services. Measure CC will help improve our quality of life and make sure we address our service needs.

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✔  Strong Polling Data

This general tax to support City services requires a simple majority (50% + 1 vote) to pass. In May, a voter opinion survey predicted a 61% probability of success if the tax increase applied to lower-value property sales. However we still need to educate voters and need your support!

✔  Everyone Benefits, But Few Pay

This tax is only paid by property sales of $10 million or more. This is a change to the existing real property transfer tax, which is not an annual tax, and 99% of property sales will NOT be impacted by this tax increase.

The current 0.5% flat rate has been in place since the 1970s and the City Council is asking voters to approve a new tiered structure with a modest 1% increase paid when a property is sold or transferred for $10 million or more. This will be comparatively lower than other Charter Cities with tiered structures: Richmond taxes sales $10M+ at 3%; San Francisco taxes sales between $10M and $25M at 2.75%; Berkeley taxes sales over $1.5M at 2.5%. Learn more!