Measure W
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Measure W on the ballot?
San Rafael is facing growing demand for 9-1-1 emergency response while streets, storm drains, parks, and other aging public infrastructure need maintenance and repair. Measure W would provide approximately $7.5 million annually in locally controlled funding to help maintain essential city services and address aging infrastructure before problems become more expensive to fix.
What would Measure W do?
Measure W would provide locally controlled funding for priorities including:
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Maintaining 9-1-1 emergency medical, police, and fire response
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Preventing street and sidewalk deterioration
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Addressing impacts of homelessness, including litter and illegal dumping
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Maintaining safe places for children to play
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Maintaining storm drain systems to prevent flooding
Why does San Rafael need additional funding for streets and infrastructure?
The City’s street maintenance program is underfunded by approximately $4 million annually, while much of San Rafael’s underground storm drainage infrastructure is more than 50 years old.
Why repair streets and infrastructure now?
Waiting can cost more. Maintaining streets and other infrastructure before they deteriorate further can extend their useful life and reduce the need for much more expensive reconstruction or replacement later. Making needed repairs now can save taxpayers millions in more costly future repairs.
Why are additional 9-1-1 emergency response resources needed?
The number of 9-1-1 emergency calls is rising. Maintaining rapid response to heart attacks, strokes, fires, accidents, and other emergencies requires sufficient on-duty firefighters, paramedics, ambulances, and other emergency resources. Nearly 80% of San Rafael Fire Department emergency responses are medical emergencies, making emergency medical response an increasingly important part of the City's public safety responsibilities. Adding dedicated ambulances would provide greater capacity to respond to the growing number of medical emergencies, while helping keep firefighters and paramedics available to respond to fires, accidents, and other emergencies.
What would Measure W mean for the SAFE Team?
The SAFE Team currently relies on temporary, limited funding. Trained SAFE Team specialists respond to certain nonviolent calls involving mental health, substance use, homelessness, and related issues. They connect people with services and allow police officers to remain available for other public safety and law enforcement priorities. Measure W revenue could help sustain and expand SAFE Team services, address impacts of homelessness, and free up police resources for other priorities.
How does Measure W generate funding?
Measure W would increase San Rafael's property transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%, an increase of 0.8%. The property transfer tax is paid only when property changes ownership. Unlike an annual property tax, it is a one-time cost associated with the sale or transfer of property.
Is Measure W an annual property tax?
No. Measure W does not increase the annual property tax rate paid by San Rafael property owners. It increases the City's property transfer tax, which applies only when property changes ownership.
Who pays the property transfer tax?
The property transfer tax is paid as part of a real estate transaction when property ownership changes. Responsibility for payment may be allocated between the buyer and seller as part of the negotiated transaction.
If the City has a balanced budget, why is Measure W needed?
A balanced budget doesn't mean every city need is fully funded. California cities are required to adopt balanced budgets each year. But balancing an annual budget does not necessarily provide enough funding to address aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, or growing demand for essential services such as 9-1-1 emergency response. Measure W would provide additional locally controlled funding to help address these identified unfunded needs.
Why doesn't the City simply reduce other spending?
The City has already made $1 million in budget reductions to balance its budget. Each year, the City Council reviews spending across public safety, infrastructure, parks, recreation, libraries, and other municipal responsibilities. Some City revenues are also legally restricted to specific purposes and cannot simply be redirected to other services or infrastructure needs.
How would taxpayers know Measure W funds are spent responsibly?
Measure W includes fiscal accountability and transparency requirements. Specifically, Measure W funds would be subject to:
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Independent oversight
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Annual financial audits
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Public disclosure of expenditures
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Annual public reports
Can the state or federal government take Measure W funds?
No. All Measure W funds stay local for services and infrastructure in San Rafael and could not be taken by the state or federal governments.
What services and infrastructure does the City of San Rafael provide?
San Rafael is a full-service city providing police, fire protection and prevention, 9-1-1 emergency medical response, street and sidewalk maintenance, storm drainage and flood prevention, parks and recreation, libraries, traffic safety, code enforcement, emergency preparedness, and maintenance of public buildings and other community infrastructure.
When will Measure W be on the ballot?
Measure W will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. All San Rafael voters will receive a ballot in the mail in early October that must be returned by Election Day to be counted.
What level of support is required for Measure W to pass?
Measure W needs support from a simple majority (50%+1) of voters casting ballots on Measure W to be approved.
Who supports Measure W?
Measure W is endorsed by San Rafael public safety leaders, Mayor Kate Colin, the entire City Council, many other trusted community leaders.
