Walnut Creek Measure O

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measure O in action logo Measure O was a 1/2 cent sales tax proposal to support Walnut Creek city services, replace aging facilities, and help maintain the community's high quality of life. Voters approved Measure O in 2022, and work is underway as a result that will improve City facilities and services.

The City’s operation and budget are fiscally sound. However, recent assessments have shown that Walnut Creek’s needs are significant and growing. Many projects and facilities are likely to require funding beyond what our City budget could have accommodated without the half-cent sales tax increase. In particular, many City facilities that support the community’s valued programs and services are nearing the end of their useful lifespans.

When the City has significant needs, it is our practice to plan a funding strategy to pay for them rather than decreasing City services and programs. Our goal with Measure O funding to is to support excellent services while being fiscally responsible. We're here to serve our Walnut Creek community.

More details about where Measure O funds are being used will be presented at City Council meetings quarterly and in the City's "In a Nutshell" newsletter.

Measure O Projects

Learn about the services and projects funded by Measure O to meet the City's greatest needs. Review the City Budget Book for a list of revenue sources and how funds are allocated.

Public Safety

Seven full-time positions added for downtown patrol, dispatch, and crime prevention.
Continuation of the full-time C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach team in partnership with Contra Costa County.
Funding has been allocated for crossing guards at local schools through Public Works.

Art + Rec Capital Projects

Heather Farm Community and Aquatic Center Project
Tice Ballfield Lighting Project
Heather Farm Synthetic Turf Project

Economic Development & Downtown Support

The City approved one-time funding in 2024 and 2025 to support downtown events and activities that bring people together and help local businesses.

The City plans to improve up to four small public spaces downtown. These mini plazas will be more attractive and better suited for community gatherings and other activities.
Update approximately 17 utility boxes by replacing current wraps with new artwork.
Cover installation and removal costs of holiday decorations for four years.
Walnut Creek on Ice site improvements.
Grow Walnut Creek First Wednesday program from two (2) events in 2024 to four (4) in 2025 and maintain the Locust Street location.
Funding supports marketing and staffing at the Lesher Center to grow audiences and improve performances.

Library Hours

Measure O funds 12 extra weekly hours at the Walnut Creek and Ygnacio Valley libraries. The full-year cost is about $570K, with additional costs this year due to late billing from the County.

Sustainability Efforts

A new Sustainability Analyst position was added to help carry out the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Committed to fiscal responsibility and excellent service

The City is in solid financial condition. Additional efforts to be financially responsible include:

The City does not pay for retiree healthcare or other post-employment benefits.
We have taken steps to improve efficiency, including solar installations at Boundary Oak and Heather Farm and replacement of older HVAC systems to decrease costs.
The City has no General Fund debt.
The City has set aside $14.6 million in emergency reserves.

Taxpayer Protections

Taxpayer protections were included in the ballot measure. All funds from the sales tax increase go to the general fund and can be used for Walnut Creek city services and facilities improvements. These funds must stay locally controlled in the City of Walnut Creek. By law, the State cannot take funds away to use for other purposes. Independent financial audits, an Oversight Committee and regular public reporting ensure proper spending as voters intended. The Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee has been selected, and will be reviewing financial reports for the duration of the ten years Measure O is in effect.

Frequently asked questions

How has the City involved the community in this effort?

To help protect Walnut Creek’s quality of life now and in the future, City leaders have been evaluating all possible options for generating additional revenues to address identified city needs. The City Council conducted outreach to gauge the priorities of our residents and determine if there was enough interest to place a ballot measure in front of voters in the form of a limited-term, modest sales tax increase.

After receiving thousands of survey responses and meeting with a variety of local organizations, the City Council decided to put a half-cent sales tax measure for a period of ten years on the 2023 November ballot. Walnut Creek voters had the final say and approved the increase.

How long will Measure O be in effect?

Measure O half-cent sales tax increase will be in effect until 2034. Visitors pay their fair share for use of Walnut Creek services while not impacting certain essential purchases like groceries, prescription medication, and medical appointments. Local governments rely on sales tax revenue to fund essential local public services. Sales tax funds would give the City the flexibility needed to both fund important community services and upgrade or rebuild facilities that support these programs.

How much does the additional 1⁄2 sales tax cost?

How much additional funding does the 1⁄2 cent sales tax generate for the City?

What does sales tax apply to? What’s taxed and what isn’t?

Everyone who purchases any items (other than those exempted) in Walnut Creek pays the half-cent sales tax increase, including visitors to Walnut Creek. Approximately half of the sales tax revenue generated annually by the City of Walnut Creek comes from non-residents.

The half-cent sales tax increase applies to the same goods and services and is subject to the existing state sales tax on tangible personal property.

Items subject to sales tax include, but are not limited to:

furniture
cars
giftware
toys
antiques
clothing
gasoline

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 food stamps

Contact

Betsy Burkhart
Communications and Outreach Manager
email: Burkhart@walnut-creek.org
Call: 925-943-5895