2016 MEASURE D SALES TAX

Measure D Overview

In November 2016, over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters approved Measure D – a comprehensive and inclusive package of transportation improvements. The ½-cent, 30-year sales tax provides a steady, direct source of local funding for:

• Providing safer routes to schools for local students
• Maintaining mobility and independence for seniors and those with disabilities
• Investing in bicycle and pedestrian pathways and bridges
• Repaving roadways, repair potholes, and improve safety on local streets
• Improving traffic flow on highways and major roadways
• Investing in projects that reduce the pollution that causes global warming

As outlined in the approved by voters and shown in the Expenditure Plan, Measure D revenues are distributed to 5 categories of projects, with nearly half the funds allocated directly to Cities and the County of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz METRO, and Community Bridges Lift Line.

Recent Activities

• At its November 2, 2022 meeting the RTC held a public hearing at the County Board of Supervisor’s chamber (701 Ocean St, 5th Floor, Santa Cruz) and approved updates to the Measure D 5-Year Program of Projects  (5-year plans) and longer-term Strategic Implementation Plan for regional categories and projects and Community Bridges Lift Line. RTC Advisory Committees provided input on possible updates to the 5-year plans at their October meetings. The 5-year plans have been updated to reflect the latest cost and schedule estimates for previously approved projects and programs. No new projects are proposed this year. Project to receive Measure D funds over the next five years include:
  • Complete streets facilities in SLV, including new sidewalks in Boulder Creek;
  • Highway 1 Aux Lanes/Bus on Shoulder Facilities and Bicycle/Pedstrian overcrossings
  • Coastal Rail Trail/MBSST Segments 5-12 and 18 and ongoing corridor maintenance and oversight
  • Rail Corridor maintenance and zero emission rail transit analysis
• 2023 Fall Project Updates
• 5-Year Plan Updates-Direct Recipients: Local agencies that receive direct formula allocations of Measure D revenues update their project lists showing how they plan to spend their shares of Measure D funds in the spring. Check out meeting agendas (typically May or June) for Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, County of Santa Cruz, and METRO to provide input.
• Taxpayer Oversight – FY21/22 Annual Report: The Oversight Committee’s Fy21/22 Measure D Annual Report is available here (in English) and in Spanish here. At its Spring 2023 meetings, the Taxpayer Oversight Committee reviewed Fiscal Year 2021/22 (FY21/22) audited financial statements and annual expenditure reports showing how agencies spent Measure D funds.
• Measure D Projects Under Construction:
  • Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing was constructed in 2022-2023. Learn more about the project here.
  • Highway 1 41st Ave-Soquel Drive Auxiliary Lanes/Bus-on-Shoulder and Chanticleer Ave Bike/Ped bridge started construction in 2023
  • Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7, phase 2 started construction in Santa Cruz in 2022.
  • Coastal Rail Trail Segment 5 (Davenport to Wilder Ranch) and Highway 1 Bay/Porter-State Park Auxiliary Lanes will be starting construction soon

5-Year Plans

What are the 5-Year Plans? Based on the Measure D Expenditure Plan, which identifies general categories of projects to receive certain percentages of tax revenues over a 30-year time frame, all agencies designated to receive Measure D funds (including the Regional Transportation Commission) annually develop, update and adopt five-year project-delivery plan for investing these new transportation revenues.

Measure D 5-Year Plans for Regional Projects
The RTC Measure D 5-year plans show how the RTC anticipates distributing voter-approved Measure D revenues over the next 5 years for Regional Projects.

• Approved 5-year plans for Regional Projects (Approved at the 11/2/23 RTC board meeting)
• Highway Corridor
• Coastal Trail
• Rail Corridor
• Highway 9 Corridor
• Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing

Direct Recipient Projects (overseen by the cities, county, Metropolitan Transit District and Community Bridges – Lift Line) – Visit the Direct Recipient page or each agency’s website to view approved 5-year plans.

Other Highlights

Revenue Collection: The state began collecting the new ½-cent sales tax for local transportation improvements in April 2017 and the first disbursements to local agencies started in summer 2017. Funds are distributed monthly to recipient agencies. Updates on revenues are included no less than quarterly in the RTC board agenda packet (tyically on consent agenda). In April 2023, the RTC approved updated Measure D revenue projections.

Measure D Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP):  The SIP serves as the guiding policy and programming document for the implementation of Regional Measure D projects. The SIP is expected to be updated at least every 4-5 years.

• The RTC adopted the 2023 SIP at its November 2, 2023 meeting.

Amended Measure D Expenditure Plan: At its February 6, 2020 meeting, the RTC amended the voter-approved Expenditure Plan, listing Auxiliary Lanes on Hwy 1 from Freedom Blvd-Rio Del Mar-State Park Drive as part of the Highway Corridors investment category. This amendment became effective on March 22, 2020, 45-days after the RTC board approval. Notice was given to the Board of Supervisors and City Councils in Santa Cruz County, per Utility Code Section 180207 and the Ordinance.

RTC Contact

Guy Preston
Executive Director
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200