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The Danville Town Council on Tuesday is set to debate a resolution to support a new 0.5% sales tax countywide that would help fund transportation projects in Contra Costa County.
Known as the “Transportation Expenditure Plan,” the tax would last for a period of 35 years starting July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2055, with the potential to raise an estimated $3.608 billion in funding.
Danville town staff said pending approval by the County Board of Supervisors, voters will have the final say on the approval or denial of the 0.5% sales tax during the March 3 ballot
“Currently, transportation needs significantly exceed projected revenues,” transportation manager Andrew Dillard wrote in a staff report. “Over the next 35 years, Contra Costa County population will continue to grow, resulting in new demands on the transportation infrastructure and additional mobility needs. The new sales tax measure is needed to keep Contra Costa County moving and to create livable and sustainable communities.”
According to Dillard, the tax would generate approximately $3.608 billion over a 35-year period for county transportation projects, with an estimated $675 million going toward projects in the southwest region. It is also estimated that Danville will be provided with an estimated $764,000 annually for use in maintaining local streets and roads.
Dillard added that in Danville those funds will be used for the following:
* Maintenance of local streets and roads
* TRAFFIX student transportation and congestion relief program
* Major arterial road maintenance and traffic circulation improvements on Camino Tassajara, Sycamore Valley Road and San Ramon Valley Boulevard
* Interstate 680 congestion relief
* Transit reliability and access improvements
* Local bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
The Town Council is set to review the Transportation Expenditure Plan during its regular meeting 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front St., Danville.
In other business
* Council members will discuss traffic-calming measures on Liverpool Street that include the installation of traffic signs, crosswalks and two speed lumps, as well as authorizing parking restrictions along Liverpool Street, between Camino Tassajara and Chatsworth Court.
Town staff say the estimated costs of installing recommended traffic calming measures is approximately $30,600, while costs associated with authorizing parking restrictions are estimated at approximately $5,400.
* The Town Council will then consider extending and amending its employment contracts with Town Manager Joe Calabrigo, as well as city attorney Robert Ewing.
If approved by the council, Calabrigo — who has served as town manager since 1993 — would have his contract extended through April 2022, and receive a 3% salary increase in the first year worth an additional $9,961 in salary and benefits, and 2.5% salary increase in the second year worth $8,550 in salary and benefits.
According to Administrative Services Director Jed Johnson, if approved by the council Calabrigo’s salary — which is currently $236,507.40 annually — would increase to a maximum of $249,692.40 by the end of year two.
The new two-year term for Ewing, who has been city attorney since 1995, would be extended through July 2021. Ewing’s salary would be increased by 3% in the first year and would go up by 3% in the second year. This comes out to $6,349 in salary increases in the first year, and $6,539 for the second year.
Johnson added that these raises would result in Ewing earning a maximum of $217,986.40 by the end of the year — he currently earns $211,637.40.
* Next up, the council will hear semiannual reports documenting the activities of the town’s Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission, the Street Smarts program and the RecycleSmart board.
Wait a minute, CA DEMS miss-managed the money for high speed rail and NOW they want to tax us for more money towards transportation? They squandered millions already??? You can’t just keep taxing citizens and mismanage money. We need accountability and third party audits.
The proposed solution always seems to be throwing more money at the problems. There is already plenty of money being collected, it is just mis-managed. Take a look at your latest property tax statement and notice the two bonds you are already supporting for BART. Voters supported the last BART bond in 2016 for $3.5 Billion. It was supposed to be used for new trains. It is now 3 years later. Has anyone seen more than a few new trains??? No, instead the money is being used to build transit villages on public (BART) property to take in more revenue. As a reminder, BART are already paying an extra 0.5% sales tax to support BART too and have been since 1970.
Over the past two years, gasoline and diesel taxes have been increased to supposedly improve infrastructure. Instead money has been spent on building revenue generating toll lanes on roads which all of us paid for when they were built (e.g. 680)! In addition, Billions of $ have been spent on the High Speed train to nowhere.
Stop continuing to feed the beast and hold them accountable!!