Measure DD expenditures detailed by deputy city manager

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The effects of COVID-19 on local business revenue will have a definite impact on the public safety tax known as Measure DD, but not as much as originally feared, a City of Menifee official said.

Second quarter sales receipts (April through June 2020) were down 11.8 percent from the same period in 2019, according to a report given by Rochelle Clayton, deputy city manager, to members of the Measure DD Citizens Oversight Committee last month. And although the City’s tax consultant, HdL Companies, projected that Measure DD revenue will be less than last year’s total of $12.76 million, Measure DD is still projected to generate $10.3 million by the end of this fiscal year.

Measure DD was approved by 68 percent of voters in 2016 as an additional 1 percent sales tax to help fund public safety, which ultimately included the new Menifee Police Department. Last month, 64 percent voted "no" on a recall initiative, preserving the public safety tax.

According to figures presented to the oversight committee by Clayton, the Measure DD budget for the current fiscal year is $10,297,000. Of that amount, $4,331,254 is budgeted for Menifee Police Department; $3,603,950 for the Fire Department; $2,059,400 for infrastructure (Capital Improvement projects); and $302,396 for code enforcement.

The amount available for expenditure from Measure DD funds is actually greater than that because of carryover funds from the previous fiscal year, however. The adjusted Measure DD expenditure budget is $13,586,746 (see chart below).

“Menifee is not classified as a tourist city, so we haven’t been impacted as much as other cities,” Clayton told Menifee 24/7, referring to the impact of COVID-19. She also pointed out that data about tax revenue since June is not yet available.

“Had we lost Measure DD, it would’ve been about an $11 million loss,” Clayton said, referring to the recall initiative.

Clayton said she plans to provide a more specific quarterly update to Measure DD Oversight Committee members in the future. Committee members include Menifee residents Michael Cano, Edward Samuelson, Brian Agner, Arthur King Ma, and Nancy Randolph.

“We would like to update the committee with COVID impacts, and we want to make sure the City Council also has the latest updates," Clayton said.

In addition to funding the continued growth of Menifee Police Department (detailed in our recent story here) and its costs associated with the Riverside County Fire Department, Measure DD has and will continue to fund several major Capital Improvement Projects, improving roads and traffic in the city.

The Holland Road Overpass, a much-needed bridge planned for the 215 Freeway, will receive $567,663 in funding from Measure DD funds this fiscal year, according to Clayton’s presentation. Funding for the $28 million project is expected to be complete in time for start of construction next summer. Much of the funding comes from Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) funds, which are paid by developers whose projects impact traffic in the region.

The Bradley Road bridge over Salt Creek, a $10.3 million project in the design phase, is receiving $500,000 in Measure DD funds this year. Start date for that project has not been determined.

Other projects receiving Measure DD funding this year include road resurfacing projects on Murrieta Road, in the Hillpointe community, and McCall Boulevard from Encanto Road to Antelope Road. Funds were also used to construct sidewalks in the area of Menifee Road and Scott Road.

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