Mountain View Plans for Future Revenue

Measure G will officially be on the ballot in Mountain View and will impose an increased transfer tax for properties sold over a $6 million threshold. City staff expect to raise close to $10 million annually and those funds will go to the city’s General Fund. General Fund revenue can be spent at the council’s discretion and allocated for different activities in any given year based on the council’s desires.

Mountain View’s current council is expecting to divide the majority of that $10 million between public safety facilities, parks and open spaces, and affordable housing. It has been made clear over the past year that the council expected a majority of new revenue to be utilized for the new police and fire facility, but council members noted there are many competing needs. They hope this future allocation plan will help court residents who may be on the fence about voting yes.

Some opposition has arisen in the community, but city staff notes over the past year the tax would have applied to approximately 60 commercial properties and two multifamily properties. Despite that, some residents argue that funding is best kept toward public safety and they are worried future councils will deviate from the approved expenditure plan.

More info can be found here.