Atwater’s Measure B & Municipal Election
Voter Information
On July 25, the Atwater City Council unanimously placed Measure B –a public safety sales tax at the one-cent rate–on the November ballot.
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 public safety services after the existing voter-approved funding expires.
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.
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 Atwater retain our police officers and firefighters.
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 services. As a local measure, Measure B funds will remain locally-controlled by the City of Atwater.
For more information on Measure B or Atwater’s Municipal Election, visit the links below.
Links:
Merced County Registrar of Voters
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
City Council Resolution & Ordinance Placing Measure B on the ballot
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.
Republic is one day behind for Residential Green Waste and Commercial trash routes. They are hoping to be caught up by Friday.
General Plan Update
The City of Atwater has begun the process to update the General Plan. The last update was in 2000 with minor amendments and adjustments throughout the years.
The General Plan:
A General Plan is required to be prepare in accordance with California Government Codes Section 65300 et seq. A general plan is a technical document that identifies goals, policies, and implementation measures and contains maps and diagrams. It is a community-based, long-term policy document that guides the city in managing physical, social, and economic resources.
The General Plan serves as a basis for the decisions that affect future growth, development, and allocation of city services. It also provides a foundation for decision-making by City Council and the appointed Commissions and committees. The general plan also provides base for Zoning and Land Use decisions.
General Plan Technical Advisory Committee
Questions:
For any questions related to the General Plan Technical Advisory Committee or the General Plan Update, please email generalplancommittee@atwater.org.
*updates will become available as the General Plan Update Process moves forward*
General Plan Technical Advisory Committee
Role:
Meetings:
Committee meetings will be held once per month of the _____ Thursday at _____ in the City Hall Council Chambers at 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater CA 95301. All meetings of the committee are open to the public. (Finalized meeting dates coming soon)
Membership:
The Mayor appoints the members of the Committee which includes:
Questions:
For any questions related to the General Plan Technical Advisory Committee or the General Plan Update, please email generalplancommittee@atwater.org.
2022 Regular Meeting Schedule Calendar (PDF of Calendar coming soon)
| Meeting Dates | Agenda | Packet | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-8-22 | Notice of Special Meeting | ||
| 11-10-22 | Agenda | ||
| 12-7-22 | Notice of Cancellation | ||
| 1-4-23 | Notice of Cancellation | ||
| 2-1-23 | Agenda | Packet |