Frequently Asked Questions

What is Measure N?

Measure N is a 1% sales tax for San Ramon that was placed on the ballot by unanimous vote of the San Ramon City Council. Measure N is projected to generate $15.7 million in additional annual revenue for the City and includes a 10 year expiration and an accountability provision for resident review. 

For what purpose would the revenue generated by Measure N be utilized?

Revenue generated by Measure N would go directly into the City’s General Fund to help fund essential city services, including:

• Public Safety: retail theft suppression, local police patrols, and crime/youth violence prevention services.

• Keeping city parks, open spaces, paths, and sports fields in good working condition.

• Protecting services for senior citizens and youth, including after-school programs.

• Investing in supporting small business and attracting new businesses, jobs, and economic activity.

• Restoring and then maintaining library hours, services, and programs.

• Repairing and maintaining aging facilities.

What portion of the 1% additional revenue that Measure N generates will go directly to the City of San Ramon?

100% of the revenue generated by this measure will go directly to the City of San Ramon. The State and County cannot touch one penny of it. Of the current 8.75% sales tax paid in San Ramon, only 1% goes directly to The City of San Ramon, so this new revenue will effectively double the City’s sales tax revenue.

How much would the increased sales tax cost a San Ramon resident?

Measure N proposes a 1% increase in sales tax. So, for every $1,000 San Ramon residents AND visitors spend on taxable items, it will cost each person an extra $10. Almost all groceries and medications are not taxable.

What has changed about the City’s financial position?

While San Ramon remains in solid financial condition, City expenses have risen dramatically in recent years, much faster than revenue, mostly due to inflation. Everything now costs more - insurance, benefits, wages, water, electricity, gasoline, maintenance, and even animal control costs the City pays to Contra Costa County have increased dramatically. This is no different than what we have experienced in our personal budgets. 

San Ramon has managed these cost increases a number of ways - budget cuts, salary freezes, one-time funds from the State and Federal Government. If Measure N passes, it will help cover most of the cost increases.

Why does the City need more funding?

The City’s General Fund Budget provides funding for both City services and City facilities. In particular, the City’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget required implementing a number of strategies to balance a $17 million shortfall. Those strategies included cuts to library hours, staffing cuts across the City to include Police Services, and deferring maintenance projects to the City’s facilities, streets, and roads. The City explored revenue enhancement options that included a comprehensive fee schedule analysis that resulted in increasing cost recovery of city services of $1.5 million annually. The City prides itself on fully funding its obligations that include critical infrastructure maintenance funding, roadway improvements, and quality parks and sports field annual maintenance

What proactive steps has the City taken to reduce costs for the current 2024-2025 budget?

The City's adopted 2024/2025 budget includes cuts of approximately $8.1 million to the City's operating costs. These cuts impact all City departments and included the following actions:

Defunded vacant positions including six within the San Ramon Police Department.
Eliminated San Ramon Police Canine Program.
Staffing reductions across the City.
Reduced landscape maintenance in City parks and school parks (maintained by the City).
Reduced janitorial services in City facilities.
Reduced hours at the San Ramon Library (closed Mondays).
Reduced community events, including one summer concert, the Dive-In Movie program, one Presenting Series show, & the annual Holiday on the Farm.
Reduced counter hours at community centers.
Eliminated Passport Services at City Hall.
Reduced timeframe and hours for Fall Recreation Swim.

What happens if we don’t pass Measure N for the City?

While no decisions have been made yet, it is likely that some City programs and services would be discontinued and others reduced even further. As far as facilities, if no new funding were to become available, the facilities we have now will continue to age and deteriorate, and at some point they will become obsolete and unusable for the community.

What are the expected future budget shortfalls if Measure N is not passed by voters?

If Measure N does not pass, the expected future budget shortfalls are :

2025/2026   $9,000,000

2026/2027  $11,000,000

2027/2028  $17,000,000

2028/2029  $22,000,000

What is the City doing to manage its finances responsibly?

The City has been long recognized for our fiscal prudence. The City is in solid financial condition and makes every effort to use resources wisely. The City fully funded its pension obligation and seeks out ways to attract top talent by focusing on its culture, inspiring staff to bring their best to work each day. The City has proactively set aside funds in a reserve for worker pensions. When significant expenditures beyond our regular budget arise, a plan for funding them is developed. That is particularly important for major facility replacement needsthat will continue to enhance San Ramon’s quality of life. The City has little General Fund debt and sets aside 36% of General Fund expenditures as emergency reserves each year.

Does Measure N have an expiration date?

Yes. Measure N would expire after 10 years. Voter approval at a new election will be required to renew Measure N.

Does Measure N include a provision for citizen oversight?

Yes. Please see pages 6 and 7 of the ordinance.

Does the Measure N tax only apply to San Ramon residents?

No. Residents and visitors are both subject to the provisions of Measure N. 

I pay a lot in property taxes. Isn't that enough?

San Ramon only receives 10% of every property tax dollar, and even less in the Dougherty Valley due to contractual requirements. Property tax dollars are primarily intended to benefit our great schools. Forty five percent of every property tax dollar goes to local schools, 15% to the Fire District, 12% to the County, 10% to San Ramon, 7% to the Community College District, 3% to the Parks District, and 8% to other. 

Has an independent professional organization provided an opinion about Measure N?

Yes. The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association offered the following assessment: “This measure is necessary to maintain a secure financial base and provide cost effective and responsive services. This measure will expire in 10 years. San Ramon gets less sales tax revenue than other cities in the county split and the ability to or interest of the county in addressing this issue is not apparent. Closing parks or outsourcing them won’t solve the problem and reducing police is not going to go over well.”

What are other current local sales tax rates?

Other local sales tax rates (alphabetical by rate):

• Hayward 10.75%

• Dublin 10.25%

• Fremont 10.25%

• Livermore 10.25%

• Oakland 10.25%

• Pleasanton 10.25%

• ​San Jose 9.375%

• Walnut Creek 9.25%

• Danville 8.75%

• ​San Ramon 8.75%

What items does sales tax not apply to in San Ramon?

Items that are exempt from sales tax include sales of certain food products for human consumption (groceries), sales to the U.S. government, sales of prescription medicine and certain medical devices, sales of items paid for with EBT cards, rent, mortgage payments, and utilities.

When was the last time the City of San Ramon enacted a sales tax increase?

Measure N would be the first time the City of San Ramon has ever requested a sales tax increase since incorporating in 1983.

Does San Ramon receive all of the current 8.75% sales tax generated by taxable sales made within the City?

No. Cities get a tiny fraction of sales tax revenue. Here's the breakdown.

1. 6.0% goes to the State

2. 1.5% goes to Contra Costa County

3. 1.0% goes to the City of San Ramon

4. 0.25% goes to a local transportation fund

What are the components that would make up make up the new proposed tax rate if Measure N passes? ​

California state sales tax 6.00%

Contra Costa County sales tax 1.50%

City of San Ramon sales Tax 2.00%

Local Transportation Fund  0.25%