title
REVIEW AND DISCUSS MEASURE A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Review and discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Annual Budget for the use of Measure A proceeds.
body
Summary
The fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget estimates $46.1 million in Measure A revenues that would support $35.8 million in Police Department expenditures and $1.8 million for Office of Violence Prevention expenditures. The Police Department and Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) expenditures are projected to be in line with their expenditures from fiscal year 2025-26.
Background
Measure A is a voter-approved ¾ cent general sales tax that supports law enforcement, crime prevention, essential city services, and fiscal recovery from bankruptcy. Measure B is a non-binding advisory measure that allowed voters to express a desire for Measure A proceeds to be spent 65% towards law enforcement and crime prevention services and 35% towards services to residents, businesses, property owners and efforts to end bankruptcy. The Measure A Citizens’ Advisory Committee may make recommendations to City Council regarding the Proposed Budget for Measures A and B before adoption pursuant to the Measure A Ordinance, and the Committee’s Charter and Bylaws.
Measure A Advisory Committee By-Laws
Section 8b (meetings): “the Committee will meet to review budgets for Measure A revenues and Measure B (public safety) expenditures before the City Council’s public sessions on the upcoming annual budget.”
Section 9 (Authorized Activities): “The City will propose a budget for the Measure A sales tax revenues and related uses of funds for the upcoming fiscal year which will be presented to the Committee members before City Council consideration and approval of the City’s Annual Budget. The Committee will consider the Proposed Budget in accordance with all City rules, regulations and policies and may make recommendations regarding the Proposed Budget for Measures A and B to the City Council in a public session.”
Present Situation
The City Manager released the fiscal year 2026-27 Proposed Annual Budget to City Council and the public on May 15, 2026. The City Council then held an open public budget study session on June 2, 2026, and subsequently held a public hearing and adopted the FY 2026-27 budget on June 9, 2026.
Measure A funds 60 sworn and 36 non-sworn Police Department positions, and 9 Office of Violence Prevention positions. In 2024, the number of sworn positions was reduced by 60 FTE to fund significant benefits incentives to improve retention and recruitment for Police Officers. Recruiting and retaining 120 additional officers has proven over the years to be a considerable challenge, despite aggressive campaigns and initiatives made by the Police Department management.
Measure A revenues for fiscal year 2026-27 are projected to be $46.1 million. In the 2026-27 Annual Budget, the appropriation for law enforcement and crime prevention is approximately 82% of the projected annual Measure A revenue. This is based on the current funding of $35.8 million for Police Department expenditures and $1.8 million for the Office of Violence Prevention expenditures.
The full fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget can be found on the City’s website at www.stocktonca.gov/budget <http://www.stocktonca.gov/budget>
The document includes the Measures A and B budget on page C-7 and more information on the Long-Range Financial Plan starting on page C-9.
Attachment A - Measures A and B FY 2026-27 Proposed Annual Budget
Attachment B - FY 2026-27 Proposed Annual Budget - Budget Message