Measure Z

A GENERAL TAX sold as a fire measure is still a GENERAL TAX. Riverside's Measure Z proposal is legally a GENERAL TAX, which means the money goes into the General Fund and can be spent on any city purpose the Council chooses.

•      It is not a dedicated fire tax. City leaders have heavily marketed this measure around firefighters, equipment, and emergency response, but the tax is still a GENERAL TAX, not a legally restricted public-safety tax. The money can be spent on anything council wishes.

•      New Council Members have no obligation. Current City Council and Mayor can claim to use this money in a certain way but the newly elected members are under no obligation. It is a GENERAL tax.

•       The current Measure Z tax money has doubled expectations. Measure Z in 2016 was expected to generate over $40 million, it is now almost $90 million per year. And, all the money from Measure Z for the next 5 years is already allocated.

•      It removes the sunset. The current Measure Z was scheduled to expire in 2036, but this proposal would continue the tax until ended by the voters, making it effectively permanent unless voters organize a ballot campaign to repeal it which costs the voters and the city time and money.

•      City Hall is spending your money to sell it. The City approved $195,000 in General Fund money for ballot-measure "community outreach" and "informational materials," including presentations and materials about the measure and its purpose.

•      The firefighters' political arm is also funding a YES campaign. The Riverside Firefighters Legislative Action Group has reported a $100,000 contribution to "Riverside for a Safe and Secure Future," the committee supporting Measure Z along with contributions from the Mayor and several City Council members.

•      Leadership and accountability are missing. In November 2024, Riverside voters approved Measure L to create an Inspector General with authority to investigate

fraud, waste, abuse, and illegal acts in city government, but the City only announced the recruitment in March 2026.

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•      Fire and emergency services have been neglected for more than 20 years. By their own admission the City acknowledges that Fire is short personnel, no new fire stations since 2007, no new equipment for more than a decade, wildfire risk. Now they are promising to solve the problem with a tax with no specific allocated use.

•      Court Ordered Changes. After Jason Hunter sued, a judge ordered the City to change the original Measure Z title and wording because it was misleading. Does this indicate that the 40 plus staff in the city legal department is not functioning in the best interest of the people?

•      Why after the City council vote? Why these public meetings to sell this tax instead of workshop meetings with the public to get our true and honest input and perspective prior to a council vote to put it on the ballot?

•      A NO vote will not end the Tax. A NO vote simply means the current tax goes on until 2036 at its current rate and then reviewed by voters.

What should Riverside do instead?

Bring back an honest SPECIAL TAX measure for November that:

•      Is legally restricted to FIRE, EMERGENCY SERVICES and ROADS.

•      Includes a detailed spending plan.

•      Requires independent audits and public reporting.

•      Has a real sunset date so voters can review performance before renewing it.

If Riverside truly needs more funding for fire and emergency services, then bring voters a SPECIAL TAX with accountability-not a permanent general-fund tax wrapped in public-safety messaging.

Let's Demand Honesty, Accountability, and a Real Public-Safety Tax.

Its time CITY HALL and the CITY COUNCIL started working for the PEOPLE.