Measure Q — the temporary three-quarter of a cent sales tax framed by proponents as a major game changer for Manteca — has passed.

The final tally posted Monday reflected 16,608 yes votes (50.62 percent) against 16,199 no votes (49.38 percent) for a 409 vote margin.

City Manager Toni Lundgren made it clear that what matters now is that Manteca gets it right.

“Action speaks louder than words,” Lundgren said when asked to comment on the outcome.

She said that supporters made it clear they want a better future for Manteca. At the same time, though, she noted those who voted against it likely want the same thing even though they said no to the sales tax.

Councilman Mike Morowit notes “it was a great win for the city.”

Morowit echoed Lundgren when he indicated it is now up to the city to “do it right” and make sure the taxes raised are spent in a manner that not just delivers but also assuages concerns that may have prompted people to vote against the tax.

The mechanics of what happens next is as follows:

*The sales tax goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025 and will run through Dec. 31, 2044.

*The council will appoint a citizens oversight committee to monitor how the taxes generated by Measure Q are spent.

*A Measure Q spending plan will be fashioned with input from the oversight committee, the community, and the council.

*The spending plan will then be reviewed and adopted by the council.

*The initial revenue collected in the first quarter (January through March 2025) will be sent to the city from the state that collects tax in April or soon thereafter.

The first quarter, it should be noted, typically is the weakest for taxable retail sales.

That means if annual revenue projections hold up, less than $4.25 million, or a quarter of the estimated $13 million, will be generated in the first quarter.

“It will involve a slow and steady process,” Lundgren said to assure the city is fiscally responsible.

As such, the 20-year spending plan that is adopted will likely have targeted benchmarks at 5, 10, and 15 years to assure any bonded debt is covered and to make sure the city’s Measure Q spending doesn’t get ahead of revenues.

Although nothing has been decided per se with Measure Q funding, based on previous council directives it will include bonding wedded with growth fees to build a new police station.

Lundgren noted there are two other initiatives likely to move forward with initial Measure Q fund.

One would be to accelerate the hiring of five new police officers tied to a limited federal grant that requires the cities to retain the positions after federal funds are spent.

The city was planning to hire two officers under the grant in the coming month with the balance added over the next five years.

Measure Q revenue could effectively allow the city to hire all five officers at once, effectively increasing frontline law enforcement by roughly 4 percent in one year.

At the same time, the city has come across a “demo” fire engine that is basically new that they may be able to obtain significantly sooner than the 2 to 3 years it takes to receive a new fire engine once it is ordered.

Measure Q could make that happen.

Measure Q also may play a role in getting the sixth fire station built and howling crank up the staffing of nine firefighters needed to man an engine 24/7.

Lundgren stressed nothing has been decided but noted since public safety accounts for roughly 62 percent of the general fund spending, it likely will see significant funding from Measure Q.

At the same time thanks to street maintenance equipment the city was able to secure with federal COVID pass through funds, Lundgren is confident next summer Measure Q will help keep stepped up pavement work going.

That is in addition to major street projects likely to be part of the spending plan once it is adopted.

Those initiatives are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in what could be included in the 20-year spending plan.

Assuming constant dollars and the annual Measure Q revenue projection of $13 million, the city could end up being able to tackle $260 million of endeavors with the three-quarter cent sales tax.

It actually could be more given growth fees can be wedded with the steady tax stream a 20-year tax affords to not just bond for a new police station but other public amenities as well.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com