MENIFEE-  City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 3, to place the City of Menifee Public Safety, Traffic Congestion Relief, and Vital City Services Measure on the November 2016 ballot. 

“Our residents have chosen to live in Menifee because it offers a better quality of life and services than many other cities in the Valley. Locally-controlled funding will ensure we can continue to provide a high level of services such as 911 emergency response, roads that are in good condition, public parks, and vital services that make Menifee a desirable place to live, work and visit,” said City Manager Robert Johnson. 

Residents, land owners, developers, business owners and leaders in the building and real estate industry came out to speak to city council, waiting hours for the public hearing to be called. 

Michael Garrison from the Building Industry Association said, "A sales tax gives the voters a choice if they want to shop in Menifee and spend their money here or go elsewhere."  

Since 2009, the state has taken money from Menifee’s budget, including over $20-million in the past five years – and a projected $49-million over the next five years. 

“The proposed local revenue measure will be spent entirely on local vital services that benefit our community, and by law cannot be taken by state government,” continued City Manager Johnson.

A serious concern for Menifee residents is traffic congestion. Commuters spend hours each week stuck in traffic. Improving traffic circulation, reducing congestion, and making local streets and roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike are community and city priorities.

With crime from surrounding communities increasing and a 36% population growth in just eight years, Menifee needs to maintain public safety for its growing population. The city is already at least a dozen officers below recommended numbers. Without additional local funding, cuts to public safety and vital services will occur. Many residents spoke to council about the transients and homeless coming into the city and loitering in parks, neighborhoods, and retail shopping centers. 

Resident Tony Falco a  business owner, reminded council that the transient and homeless problem will grow in the community if they stay underfunded for police and fire. 

"We already pay a lot of tax on our land but as we develop along for the future, just like the Flemings or the Brookfields or like any other small developer, we are the future of your sales tax growth. We pay our fair share we build the new stuff. You will reap the harvest as we also grow," said land owner and developer Andy Domenigoni. 

If enacted, the Menifee Public Safety, Traffic Congestion Relief, and Vital City Services Measure would generate locally-controlled funds to maintain vital services including police, fire and paramedic services, local road and street maintenance, and improve traffic circulation, reduce congestion, and make our streets safer for drivers and pedestrians.

Mayor Scott Mann said, "Over two hundred years ago our founding fathers put checks and balances on government. I dont want an unending sales tax measure."

Mann said he wants to make sure there is a mechanism to allow voters to remove the increase in sales tax. 

Johnson came up with a draft to be placed in the resolution for the sales tax increase, "For the resolution that says, 'until ended by the voters,' If the sales tax measure passes the city manager shall every five years place an item on the agenda for the city council for the city of Menifee to review if they need to put item back on a ballot to allow voters to vote to discontinue the sale tax increase." 

Mann said, "We are going to continue to grow so at what point do we continue to have this tax in place." 

The measure will include strict accountability provisions including reviews of the sales measure every five years during the budget review by the City Council and annual, independent financial audits to ensure the funds are used efficiently, effectively and on community priorities. By law, revenue from the measure must be spent locally and cannot be taken by state government.