411: Potential Sales Tax Increase Measure

The Town of Colma, known worldwide as the "City of Souls," is the smallest city in San Mateo County with about 1,700 residents and over 1.5 million "souls." However, Colma is more than just cemeteries. The Town strives to maintain public safety, security, and quality local services for all who live or visit here. The small-town approach to modern municipal government reflects a commitment to both a healthy business climate and a harmonious relationship with residents.

Continuing Colma Town Services

The Town of Colma strives to be fiscally responsible while providing services for our residents, including police and emergency services, parks and other local services. Maintaining and improving services and continuing to invest in the Town's appearance are top priorities. In order to maintain these services, the Town is actively planning for the future.

Local Funding to Maintain and Improve Town Services

The Town is currently exploring local options to address the community’s service priorities. The Colma City Council is considering placing a sales tax measure on the November 2024 ballot to help maintain and improve Town services. The measure would increase the local sales tax rate by one-half cent, to generate $2.3 million per year of locally controlled funding the could be used for Town services, including:

• Maintaining emergency response times
• Maintaining crime prevention programs and services, including neighborhood police patrols
• Repairing potholes and maintaining local streets
• Maintaining parks and the community center
• Maintaining services and programs for youth, families and seniors

 Transparency and Fiscal Accountability

A potential sales tax measure would incorporate the following fiscal accountability provisions:

• Funds from the measure must stay in Colma and cannot be taken away by Sacramento
• Independent audits and public disclosure of all spending
• A sales tax increase would be paid not just by local residents but also those who visit and shop in Colma
• Groceries, prescription medicine and other similar purchases would be exempt from the sales tax

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Town of Colma doing with maintaining public services for our local residents?

Community comes first in our town and it shows in everything we do. In a recent survey, 89% of residents reported a favorable opinion about the direction of Colma. The Town strives to maintain public safety, security, and quality local services for all who live or visit here.

How does the Town plan to continue maintaining current Town services?

The Town strives to be fiscally responsible while providing services for our residents, including maintaining emergency response times, public safety, neighborhood police patrols, parks and other local services. Maintaining and improving services and continuing to invest in the Town's appearance are top priorities.

In order to maintain these services, the Town is actively planning for the future. The Town is currently exploring local options to address the community’s service priorities. The Colma City Council is considering placing a sales tax measure on the November 2024 ballot to help maintain and improve Town services. The measure would increase the local sales tax rate by one-half cent, to generate $2.3 million per year of locally controlled funding for Town services.

How could a local funding measure help maintain and improve Town Services?

The measure would provide locally controlled revenue that could be used to:

• Maintain emergency response times
• Maintain crime prevention programs and services, including neighborhood police patrols
• Repair potholes and maintain local streets
• Maintain parks and the community center
• Maintain services and programs for youth, families and seniors

How would a local funding measure be fiscally accountable?

A potential sales tax measure would incorporate the following fiscal accountability provisions:

• Funds from the measure must stay in Colma and cannot be taken away by Sacramento
• Independent audits and public disclosure of all spending
• A sales tax increase would be paid not just by local residents but also those who visit and shop in Colma
• Groceries, prescription medicine and other similar purchases would be exempt from the sales tax

Could the State cut or take local sales tax funding away from Colma?

By law, revenue from the local sales tax measure could not be taken by the State, and all funds would stay local for the benefit of Colma residents.

How much would a sales tax measure cost?

The measure would increase the local sales tax rate by one-half cent, to generate $2.3 million per year of locally controlled funding for Town services.

Who pays for a sales tax measure?

The sales tax measure is not a resident-paid property tax and out-of-town visitors would pay the tax  when they shop in our community. Over 80% of Colma’s sales tax revenue comes from out-of-town visitors.

Do other cities in San Mateo County have local sales taxes?

Yes, other cities in San Mateo County have passed local sales tax measures to provide locally controlled revenue for city services.

How can I learn more?

To share your opinions or to ask questions, please contact City Manager Dan Barros at dbarros@colma.ca.gov or 650-997-8318.