Frequently Asked Questions
Measure B Public Safety Funding Information
Q: What is Measure B?
A: Current voter-approved Public Safety Funding, which generates approximately $2 million per year, expires in June 2023. Measure B is a special purpose tax that, if enacted, would be used to continue to fund local police and fire services, after the existing voter-approved funding expires. If enacted, Measure B would effectively renew the current public safety sales tax at the one-cent rate, and the City of Atwater has placed it on the November ballot for voter consideration.
Q: What is it for?
A: Atwater police officers and firefighters help prevent crime, address homelessness, and provide emergency response. Local police officers and firefighters also volunteer in the community and provide support to our local businesses. If enacted, Measure B can generate funding that can be used to help retain our police officers and firefighters.
Q: What public safety priorities can Measure B support?
A: Through Let’s Talk Atwater, residents identified current public safety priorities such as helping to prevent reduction of the Atwater Police Department, maintaining emergency response services, providing police officer training, and investigating violent crimes all priorities identified by the Atwater community in a survey earlier this year.
Q: Will Measure B address our local fire needs?
A: Atwater firefighting levels are below national staffing standards, making responses to emergencies more difficult if there is more than one at a time. If enacted, Measure B can provide funding for firefighting and emergency response services.
Q: Is Measure B Subject to Oversight?
A: If enacted, Measure B is subject to annual independent financial audits and public review of expenditures by the Citizens’ Oversight Committee, to oversee that Measure B funds are used for public safety purposes.
Q: What else is on the Atwater Municipal ballot in November?
A: Also on the November ballot, Atwater voters will decide on the City’s Mayor and two councilmembers.
