The City of Fresno has placed Measure Mon the November 8, 2022, ballot to ask the City's voters to approve a retail transactions and use tax of 1/8% for 20 years to fund facilities and services for veterans in the City of Fresno. This measure would increase the City's current sales tax rate to 8.475%.
City staff estimate that Measure M will raise approximately $19.5 Million annually. Proceeds of Measure M will be deposited into a special fund entitled the Veterans Support Fund and may only be spent as allowed by the Expenditure Plan contained in the measure.
Under the Expenditure Plan, Measure M proceeds would be allocated as follows: one-third to services; one-third to facilities; and one-third to either services or facilities. Facilities projects may include, but are not limited to, improvements to the Fresno Memorial Auditorium, VFW Posts, the American Legion Hall, affordable housing for veterans and other capital and maintenance projects. Services would include, but not be limited to, assistance with affordable housing, job training and placement, mental and/or physical health care and administrative costs. Proceeds may be loaned, pledged, or granted to assist veterans and/or for capital projects.
Measure M also requires annual reporting on expenditures, formation of and oversight by a citizens committee composed of veterans. The Council may delegate duties to the committee or to special veterans district, should one be created.
The City Council may amend the Ordinance in the future; however, the tax rate and purposes of the measure cannot be changed without voter approval.
Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure M