Preserving Quality of Life and City Services in
Redlands
Measure T is a City of Redlands ballot measure approved by voters
in November 2020 as an ongoing source of local revenue to
preserve public safety, city services and local infrastructure.
Following passage of the measure, collection of the tax – an
additional one cent on each $1 of taxable purchases – will begin
on April 1, 2021. The City expects to begin receiving revenue
from the tax by summer of 2021.
Redlands is one of the few cities in the County with its own
Police and Fire Departments, guaranteeing our police and
firefighter/paramedics are available when needed and not diverted
to service other cities. Over the years, calls for 9-1-1
emergencies and fire risks have risen, and the City has fewer
police officers and firefighter/paramedics in Redlands today than
10 years ago.
Additionally, the City’s streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains
and other infrastructure require basic repairs and maintenance.
When these repairs are not addressed, they become a lot more
expensive to repair in the future.
Measure T: Redlands Local Sales Tax Measure for City
Services
Though the City has created a balanced budget every year for the
past 12 years, the scope of the City’s needs is greater than the
current resources available. Despite being fiscally conservative,
the City faced a $5.6 million budget shortfall this year that was
expected to widen in the future due to the current economic
climate.
With the revenue generated from Measure T, beginning with the
2021-2022 Fiscal Year, the City can:
- Address public welfare issues involving homelessness
- Maintain police services including neighborhood police
patrols, crime prevention and investigations
- Reduce gang activity and drug-related crimes
- Keep public areas, parks and recreation facilities
well-maintained and free of graffiti and maintain public
buildings and infrastructure including sidewalks, curbs and storm
drains
- Provide fire protection and paramedic services and replace
outdated lifesaving and firefighting equipment
Fiscal Accountability Required
As part of our promise to voters, Measure T requires fiscal
accountability protections. On Nov. 17, 2020, the Redlands City
Council approved an
ordinance to establish an oversight committee to review the
sales tax revenues annually and advise the Council on the use of
the revenues. The City expects to open applications for the
seven-member committee beginning in March 2021, followed by
appointment of members by the Council in April or May. The first
meeting of the committee will likely be held in July 2021,
following adoption of the next fiscal year budget.
The committee will consist of seven members, including one member
appointed by each City Council member from their corresponding
Council district, with approval by the full Council. Two
additional members will be selected from the City’s employee
bargaining units and appointed by the Mayor, with approval by the
full Council.
Once applications are open in the spring of 2021, they will be
available on the City’s website at https://www.cityofredlands.org/commissions-boards.
For More Information
Review current and past City budgets at https://www.cityofredlands.org/post/city-budget.
Additional information on City finances and financial reporting
are available at https://www.cityofredlands.org/open-government.
Links and Downloads
Informational Handout
Community Mailer 1
Community Mailer 2
June 16, 2020 City Council Presentation on Voter Survey Results
Community PowerPoint Presentation
Frequently Asked Questions
