Taxes
Measure Q
Measure Q is a sales tax that can be used to support any general City services but has specifically been earmarked to support youth services to help reduce gang activity; improve police presence in San Pablo schools and neighborhoods; fund the Childhood Obesity Prevention Advisory Group (COPAG) and provide support for local job training and economic development.
Measure Q is a 10-year temporary tax that increases the sales tax rate by 1/2-cent per dollar for 5 years and then decreases to 1/4-cent for the next 5 years. Placed on the June 2012 ballot, Measure Q was approved by nearly 74% of San Pablo voters and received the second highest voter support in the entire State.
Recognizing that Measure Q would expire altogether in October 2022, the City Council authorized the placement of the tax on the November 2020 ballot to keep the revenue stream in place. Measure Q was then assigned a new name by the County, “Measure S”, and put to the voters as a simple "re-enactment" (continuation) of Measure Q funding for another 10 years. On November 3, 2020, San Pablo residents turned out in record numbers and again overwhelmingly supported the continuation of the sales tax, this time with over 79% of the vote.
A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is charged to review use of Measure Q funds throughout the duration of the tax to ensure that monies are spent appropriately.
Measure K
Measure K is a sales tax ordinance to provide emergency medical services (EMS) out of San Pablo’s Fire Station 70 by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire). Measure K is a “special purpose” sales tax, meaning that revenue generated from the Measure can only be used for this stated purpose and nothing else.
At the time of the closing of Doctor’s Medical Center Hospital, Measure K was passed by San Pablo voters by a 71% “Yes” vote on the June, 2014 ballot. The measure authorized a 1/4-cent increase in the City’s sales tax in perpetuity.
Like Measure Q, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee is charged to review use of the funds throughout the duration of the tax to ensure that monies are spent appropriately.
Utility User's Tax
In November 2004, voters lowered the City of San Pablo's Utility Users Tax (UUT) rate to 7% on cable television, telephone, electricity, natural gas and water service. This tax is collected by each respective utility and remitted to the City.
Revenue generated from the UUT enables the City of San Pablo to maintain its existing service delivery and City-provided programs to the community as approved in the currently adopted budget.
Utility Users Tax Remittance Form
Transient Occupancy Tax
Transient Occupancy Tax, commonly called “Hotel Tax” is a tax on hotel occupants (“transients”) for the privilege of staying in any hotel in San Pablo. In this way, people visiting the City of San Pablo and driving on City streets, utilizing City police, fire and emergency medical services, pay their fair share to support such services. The tax rate is 12.0% and is levied and collected by the hotel operator and remitted to the City. Click HERE Version OptionsTaxesHeadline for the Transient Occupancy Tax form.