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Territorial Dispatch

Yuba City, Sutter County Agreement in Detail

Sep 12, 2024 10:24AM ● By Angela Underwood

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Measure D was up for discussion again.

This time in the form of a proposed funding arrangement between Sutter County and Yuba City if the proposed 1% sales tax passes in November.

“It's something that we have talked about for a few months now and something we have worked on for a few months now,” City Manager Diana Langleysaid. “So, we finally have the unveiling of the proposed revenue-sharing agreement.”

Providing slides related to presentations related to Measure D, Langley said, “The item that stands out the most is that of the current sales tax rate of 7.25%, Yuba City receives 1%, and that is the Bradley-Burns sales tax.”

Like always, when presenting Measure D, Langley reiterated all the work the city has done preparing for the tax proposal, including creating a Revenue Ad Hoc Committee for the funds to be used within city limits.

“The priority would be roads and public safety,” Langley said. 

A Citizens Oversight Committee would also form to govern the tax if approved. 

“As part of that, Sutter County would agree to no competing or overlapping initiatives and the measure would be in effect until ended by voters,” Langley said, noting the bolded use of the word “General” in her slide means no specific fund allocation.

However, according to Langley, the city has a more detailed list of priorities, adding $150 million to roads and police and fire operation upgrades. These include maintaining critical staffing levels and response times and replacing Fire Station No. 1 with a two-engine facility.

Funds will also support homeless response personnel and create a citywide “Clean Team,” supporting small businesses while providing police services to Walton and Happy Park area residents.

Langley showed the exact Measure D ballot language, pointing out the phrase “and funding other general services and essential activity,” applying to Sutter County support services. Those services include the Sutter County's District Attorney and Sheriff's Office, as well as jail and court bailiffs.

The revenue sharing agreement proposes that the City of Yuba will continue to share existing sales tax with Sutter County and “not revenue received from Measure D,” according to Langley.

“The agreement dictates that Sutter County would receive an equivalent share of the city's Bradley-Burns Sales Tax at a rate of 33% of the annual basis amount, leaving 67% for the city's use,” Langley said. “If the actual revenues from Measure D exceed the annual basis, then 50% of the excess funds will be placed into a joint project fund, and the city will retain the other 50%.”

Mayor Shon Harris said he hopes the breakdown presented helps the public since “it can be kind of confusing.”

While he had no questions due to “all the work that has been done,” Vice-Mayor Dave Shaw said, he wanted to confront citywide “chatter as far as how Sutter County can use the funds and the perception that they would use it for supervisor's salaries, benefits and training.”

“It is specifically called out in this agreement that they cannot use any money that we share for salaries, training or benefits of the elected supervisors,” Shaw said before the council approved the agreement.