MY POSITION ON MEASURE T
Public Safety. Accountability. Transparency.
The Issue
El Centro must maintain reliable police, fire, emergency response, streets, parks, and other core services while managing taxpayer dollars responsibly. Measure T would establish a one-half-cent local transactions and use tax. According to the City, it would raise El Centro’s sales-tax rate from 8.25% to 8.75% and generate an estimated $8.4 million annually.
My Position
I support Measure T because dependable funding is essential to maintaining public safety and core city services. That support comes with a clear expectation: any additional taxpayer dollars must be matched by strong safeguards, transparent reporting, and meaningful public oversight.
What I Will Advocate For
- Strong Guardrails — Clear public accounting that allows residents to see how Measure T revenue is collected, budgeted, and spent.
- Citizen Oversight — An independent citizen oversight committee that reviews Measure T revenues and expenditures and reports its findings publicly.
- Annual End-of-Fiscal-Year Report — A concise, easy-to-understand report showing revenue received, where the money was spent, and what services or results those expenditures produced.
- Accessible Public Information — Measure T financial information presented in one easy-to-find location rather than requiring residents to search through multiple budget documents.
- Ongoing Review — Regular City Council review of Measure T spending and results so that public commitments remain visible throughout the life of the measure.
An Important Distinction
Measure T is a general tax, so if voters approve it, the revenue will enter the City’s General Fund and could legally support any lawful municipal purpose rather than being restricted to a single service, such as public safety. The City also states that the measure requires annual independent financial audits and public spending reports. A citizen oversight committee and a clear year-end accountability report would strengthen those requirements by giving residents a direct, accessible way to evaluate where the money went and what it accomplished.
Bottom Line
I support Measure T because El Centro needs dependable resources for public safety and essential services. I will also advocate for clear guardrails, independent citizen oversight, accessible reporting, and regular public review so residents can see how the revenue is spent and what results it produces.
Rick Lopez
Candidate for El Centro City Council