Oversight committee approves Measure U budget with new swim program and reduced crossing-guard line

The Transaction and Use Tax Citizens Oversight Committee voted unanimously to approve the proposed Measure U budget for fiscal year 2024–25, accepting a $3.6 million revenue projection and the corresponding expenditures while making two specific line-item changes.

Staff presented a budget that forecasts Measure U revenue at $3.6 million and proposed expenditures that match that total. The largest allocation in the draft is public safety, with about $1,007,000 earmarked for police staffing and related expenses, including multiple officer positions, a sergeant, partial funding for a dispatch/communications position and technology costs. Staff noted a CAD/virtual response software rollout with a $170,000 projected outlay next fiscal year and listed equipment purchases (radar, vests, evidence supplies) totaling about $87,000. A $10,000 homeless voucher program also appears in the public-safety section.

Committee members questioned the budget’s surveillance technology line described as “flock cameras.” One member said those devices function like license-plate readers; staff said they would provide additional detail on the cameras at a later date.

In the streets and maintenance category, staff highlighted capital projects — including parking-lot improvements and an estimated $500,000 for state-required replacement of underground fuel storage tanks used to refill city fleets and provide emergency fuel access. Recreation and events were budgeted at about $381,000 and include a recreation coordinator, an ocean-safety supervisor and program support for junior lifeguards and portable restrooms at the beach.

Before the vote, staff proposed swapping two line items: remove a $30,000 facilities property-maintenance allocation and replace it with funding for a pool lifeguard/learn-to-swim program, and reduce the crossing-guard Measure U allocation from $95,000 to $47,500 (staff said the district typically reimburses 50 percent and proposed alternative funding for the balance tied to festival and explorer donations). Committee member (speaker 4) moved to approve the budget with those changes; member Williams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Committee members discussed the accounting treatment of Measure U surpluses: staff explained that any residuals become general-fund revenue and recommended the committee could decide at year-end to transfer final Measure U surplus to a capital reserve for Measure U projects based on actuals. The committee also discussed keeping some year-end cushion rather than spending all projected revenue.

The committee agreed staff will supply follow-up materials — including clarification on surveillance cameras, the final revenue projection from the city’s consultant HDL and any changes to expenditure lines — before the budget goes to the city council.