Sonoma County Measures

“Our fragile child care system is at a breaking point, but the good news is that we can turn it around. Investing in early childhood education and children’s health is a commitment that is worth every penny. It ensures that children grow up healthy and have the opportunity to thrive. It allows parents to work, lifting families out of poverty and enabling our local economy to grow.”

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CAFOs are inhumane to animals, who can feel emotions such as stress and fear. CAFOs are also detrimental for the environment due to their waste production, and exacerbate climate change with greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane from livestock. Affected CAFOs in the county — mostly egg, poultry and dairy farms — would not necessarily have to shut down, and could modify or downsize their operations to be in compliance.

This measure would put out of business multigenerational family-owned farms, some of which have operated in the county for over 100 years. It would cause exponential job losses, higher food costs and less locally sourced eggs, milk and poultry; trucking these into the county would negate the measure’s environmental goals. Its unfunded mandates would cost taxpayers millions, and the damage to the economy in Sonoma County — a historic agricultural region — has been estimated at $500 million.

“While our facilities have been well maintained, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded. We can achieve this by voting Yes on Measure K, as this school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of its school facilities and education provided to local students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards as well as better our community.”

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“Both Meadow and Corona Creek schools, recognized as California Distinguished Schools in 2022/2023, consistently outperform state and county averages despite receiving the lowest per-pupil funding in Sonoma County. This funding disparity, along with the expiration of pandemic-related support, has made it challenging to maintain competitive salaries, programs, and smaller class sizes. Measure L proposes an $89 per parcel tax annually for four years, which would generate approximately $545,000 per year for the district.”

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“For most of Healdsburg’s middle-class residents the cost of housing is increasingly out of reach. By creating more housing options for local families, Measure O will ensure the people we rely on every day — teachers, nurses, peace officers, firefighters and essential workers who help make Healdsburg a thriving community — can afford to live in the city they serve.”

“Healdsburg cannot sustain such growth. This would add to traffic, reduce parking and further tax our already limited resources, such as water. The measure would also change the small-town character of Healdsburg as it excludes any single-family housing to be built in the designated areas yet allows unlimited ultra-luxury condos.”

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“The passage of Measure Q will not result in any immediate changes to waste collection services, nor does it amend the current waste services contract, which will remain in effect until it either expires, is amended, or renewed. While service levels Windsor customers expect will continue for the foreseeable future, Measure Q will create an opportunity for garbage service providers to plan a brighter future for waste services by seeking contracts longer than 10 years.”

“A Yes vote will overturn the original citizens’ initiative passed in 1996 and allow forever, no-bid contracts to be awarded at the whim of whatever town council is in place. Voters should not give up their power to an unknown, future council. Can we trust how contracts get selected if there’s no competition? Should one garbage company have more influence than voters? We say No!”

“While our facilities have been well maintained, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded. Measure R, a school improvement measure, will allow the district to improve the quality of its school facilities and education provided to local students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards as well as better our community.”

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“Roundabouts save lives. The Federal Highway Administration states that roundabouts are much safer than stop signs or traffic lights, reducing fatal and injury collisions by up to 90%. Their design cuts down on collision points, protecting both drivers and pedestrians. The most serious automobile accidents are the result of head-on, left turn, or T-bone crashes. Roundabouts make these virtually impossible.”

“The roundabout ban in Cotati has nothing to do with physical roundabouts, liking them or not. The ban was passed as a creative way to slow down the 2009 Downtown Specific Plan with its three-story mixed-use buildings and small roundabouts. The 2009 DSP with its roundabouts had issues with eminent domain, reducing Old Redwood Hwy down to one lane each way, and fire response.”

“As Sonoma residents, we are privileged to live in a city that is both scenic and culturally rich. However, we face significant challenges including aging public infrastructure, public safety concerns, and affordable housing shortages. To maintain our high quality of life, the city of Sonoma requires the additional funding and resources that the passing of Measure T could provide. Fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency make Measure T a wise and responsible investment for Sonoma residents.”

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“We have done our best to ‘live within our means,’ eliminating programs and deferring maintenance. Despite these efforts, our town faces a future of stagnant revenues and increasing expenses. This year’s shortfall is $700,000. Without this sales tax increase, the projected deficit climbs to $2 million or more annually, with city reserves depleted within three years. This new local revenue source can change that trajectory.”

“If a half-cent sales tax passes, Sebastopol will have the highest sales tax in Sonoma County. Sebastopol will have California’s legal maximum at 10.25%. Council hiked water rates without a vote; vote No on this price hike. Increasing sales tax allows Council to take more money from people’s paychecks, disability and social security checks without addressing Sebastopol’s root problems. Keep your money in your pocket, vote No.”

“While our facilities have been well maintained, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded. We can achieve this by voting Yes on Measure V, as this school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of its school facilities and education provided to local students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards as well as improving our community.”

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“Sonoma County Library provides a safe place for our community to learn, grow and come together. Measure W is a renewal of the 2016 voter-approved measure which currently provides almost 40% of Sonoma County Library’s funding and is set to expire soon. Measure W would keep this 1/8th cent sales tax funding in place, with every dollar supporting our local libraries and no new taxes.”

“We support the Sonoma County Library system, and want to keep it adequately and securely funded. But we do not want taxpayers to give Library management another blank check, with no time limit, for its unwise and unaccountable spending. Measure Y, passed eight years ago, was supposed to augment branch libraries’ and children’s programs. But Library management has squandered a lot of that $100 million sales tax revenue.”

“While our facilities have been well maintained, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded. We can achieve this by voting Yes on Measure X, as this school improvement measure would allow the district to improve the quality of its school facilities and education provided to local students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today’s safety, technological, and educational standards as well as improve our community.”

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“The UGB minimizes the city’s environmental footprint and long-term infrastructure costs for roads and utilities, while promoting growth that benefits residents and local businesses, and assures that taxpayer and ratepayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. A Yes vote is a vote against sprawl, and an expression of support for meeting our housing goals with infill development that promotes alternative transportation models such as walking, biking, and public transit.”

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“Petaluma City Schools is responsible for the safety and education of 7,300 students across 18 schools with over 950,000 square feet of facilities. Unfortunately, state codes have crippled school funding. Compared to the greater Bay Area, Petaluma City Schools rank near the bottom in per student spending. This funding will change that, and demonstrate Petaluma cares about students by providing long overdue upgrades to our schools.”

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“Petaluma City Schools is responsible for the safety and education of 7,300 students across 18 schools with over 950,000 square feet of facilities. Unfortunately, state codes have crippled school funding. Compared to the greater Bay Area, Petaluma City Schools rank near the bottom in per student spending. This funding will change that, and demonstrate Petaluma cares about students by providing long overdue upgrades to our schools.”

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“Each day, over 2,000 local students attend class in 80 portable classrooms that are deteriorating, well beyond their useful life, and need to be replaced. Outdated classrooms and labs need updates to meet current educational, accessibility, and safety standards. Additional classrooms are needed to relieve student overcrowding. Measure BB provides locally controlled funding to fix our schools, upgrade classrooms and labs, and prepare students for successful futures.”

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“By voting Yes on Measure CC, you are taking a proactive step to safeguard Cloverdale’s natural beauty, maintain local control over development, and ensure that our city’s growth is in line with the values and priorities of our residents. This measure simply extends the protections already in place, giving us more time and control over the decisions that affect our city.”

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“The city has heard from residents about the need for improvements, but current funding levels are insufficient. By voting Yes on Measure DD, we empower Cloverdale to make the necessary investments to keep our community safe and well maintained. This includes upgrading streets and sidewalks, improving public safety infrastructure, and enhancing our parks and open spaces.”

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“For decades, Santa Rosa’s business tax has remained unchanged, even as our community’s needs have evolved. Measure EE updates this tax structure, ensuring that the largest businesses contribute proportionally to the essential services they rely on, such as public safety and street repairs. This measure also safeguards small businesses from unnecessary tax increases, promoting a balanced approach where everyone contributes their fair share to support our community.”

“Many professionals and businesses will leave Santa Rosa, or choose not to locate here, since neighboring cities do not have a Business License Tax. Doctors and medical professionals, especially those serving low-income residents, are being targeted. Expect the cost of home repairs, and other essential services to skyrocket.”

“Measure FF ensures hotel guests pay their fair share, so the burden does not fall entirely on homeowners and residents. Bringing Santa Rosa’s hotel tax rate in line with other cities in Sonoma County ensures Santa Rosa benefits from local tourism.”

“Santa Rosa residents also pay the TOT. You are also a tax-paying transient when you need to stay outside your home because of an evacuation, personal emergency, power-shut off, or to be close to medical services. The cost of lodging will go up more than 2%, as businesses pass along increased costs plus administrative expenses. Visitors with families looking for affordable accommodations will look elsewhere.”