What is Measure H
What is Measure H
Measure H is a one-cent sales tax that was approved by Modesto voters to fund general city services in November 2022. On November 29, 2022, the City Council certified the election results via Resolution 2022-453 and Measure H Sales Tax started its collection on April 1, 2023.
Initial estimates for revenue to be generated from the Measure H Sales Tax were $39M annually. Since that time revenues have exceeded $40+ million on an annual basis.
Key Facts About Measure H
Ballot Language
"To fund general city services in the City of Modesto, such as police patrols, gang, drug, and crime prevention; fire protection, paramedic/911 emergency response; addressing homelessness; cleaning-up trash and illegal dumping; keeping streets, parks, sidewalks, landscapes and infrastructure safe, clean, and well-maintained, shall an ordinance establishing a one-cent sales tax be adopted, providing $39,000,000 annually for general government use in Modesto until ended by voters, with citizen oversight and all money locally controlled?"
The Modesto voters passed Measure H with a vote of:
- 63% - Yes
- 37% - No
Measure H Allocation Plan Fiscal Year 2023-2024
- Unfreeze Deputy City Clerk Position
- Additional Funding for Marketing/Communications Budget
- Restore one Full-time Assistant Buyer
- Addition of one Full-time Account Clerk Position
- Addition of one HR Assistant Position
Allocation: $385,037
- Additional Downtown Streets Team Funding
- Addition of three Code Enforcement Officers
- Solicit proposals for Bridge Housing Sites
Allocation: $3,595,364
- Addition of one Administrative Office Assistant II Position
- Additional Pruning Crew (Addition of Operation Crew Leader, Tree Trimmer Crew Leader, and Maintenance Worker II)
- Additional Forestry Crew (Addition of four Tree Trimmer II Positions)
- Outside Contractor - Tree Services
- Curb, Gutter, & Sidewalk (CGS) - Contractor Assistance Funding
- Facility Condition Assessment - City-wide (excludes Utilities)
- Additional Forestry Bucket Truck/Chipper and Two F150 Pickups
Allocation: $4,893,164
- Addition of one Head Groundskeeper Position
- Funding for Annual Spring Cleanups along Major Roadways
- Park Watering increase to 3x per week
- Measure H - High Priority Deferred Maintenance Needs - Large Projects (Year 1)
- Measure H - High Priority Preventative Maintenance Needs - Large Projects (Year 1)
- Parks Planning Division Restructure Addition of two Senior Landscape Architect Positions
- Ballfield/Soccer field Turf Renovation Equipment
- Funding for Park Drinking Fountains/Bottle Fillers
- Security for PRN sites with Public-entry
- Vehicles for New Park Maintenance Staff
Allocation: $10,130,424
Police
- Addition of 15 Police Officer Recruit Positions
- Addition of five Community Service Officer Positions
- Addition of one Civilian Investigator Position
- Addition of one Animal Control Officer Position
- Addition of one Police Civilian Supervisor Position
- Addition of one Administrative Office Assistant III Confidential Position
- Update Downtown Entertainment District (DED) Camera System
- Additional Part-Time Funding
- Addition of one Police Lieutenant Position (Area Command)
- Additional Funding for Dispatch Project
- Additional Equipment for Additional Positions Requested
- Addition of four Park Ranger Positions
- Funding for Rental Housing Safety Program
Allocation: $7,227,434
Fire
- Addition of one Hazmat Inspector Position
- Addition of one Public Safety Business Services Analyst
- Funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division
- Station Runner Vehicle
- Fire Station 1 Funding
Allocation: $4,107,920
City Attorney’s Office
- Addition of one Deputy City Attorney III
- Addition of one Legal Secretary II
Allocation: $261,994
Information Technology Department
- Addition of one Public Safety Principal Systems Engineer Position
Allocation: $138,648
Grant Total Allocation Amount: $11,735,996
Measure H Oversight Board
The Measure H Oversight Board is composed of nine Modesto residents representing a broad cross-section of the community. Established to review all revenues and expenditures related to Measure H sales tax revenue, the Board plays a vital role in ensuring that voter-approved funds are spent responsibly and in alignment with the intent of the measure.
Oversight Board Responsibilities
- Review all revenues and expenditures of funds generated from the sales tax authorized by the voter approved Measure H.
- Review annual audit reports related to the Measure H tax measure as provided.
- Make at least one (1) annual report to the City Council at a public meeting summarizing the Measure H Oversight Board’s findings.
Project Map Archives
- Does the revenue generated by Measure H stay in Modesto?
-
Yes, unlike the state, county and special district sales taxes, all revenue generated by Measure H will stay in Modesto; not one cent can be taken by the State.
- How does Measure H affect my business or transactions in the City of Modesto?
-
If you have questions regarding the applicability of this Measure to your place of business or transactions within the City of Modesto, please contact State of California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for more information:
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
P.O. Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279
1-800-401-3661
General, Non-Confidential Tax Questions Form
- How is Measure H tax paid?
-
The tax is added during transactions that include sales tax. Sales tax, for the most part, is collected at the point of sale when purchasing goods. Measure H is a one-cent sales tax that increased the sales tax from 7.875% to 8.875%. With the passage of Measure H, tax for a $100 purchase increased by $1 dollar. Shopping locally means that funds go directly to the City to support public safety. Food groceries, medications, certain medical devices and other "Necessities of Life" are exempt from sales tax.