San Diegans expecting to vote on a critical measure to fund the city's failing stormwater infrastructure in November will have to wait, as the measure has been pulled from the ballot. City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera decided on a statewide initiative that could have lowered the voter threshold for passing such funding, which was amended late last month. The original hope was that Proposition 5 would allow for a 55 percent approval rate. Still, it was altered to exclude local tax increases, keeping the threshold at a steep two-thirds majority, according to NBC San Diego.
Speaking to the setback, Elo-Rivera underscored the financial urgency, "Revenue specifically dedicated for our stormwater system is the best way to address longstanding needs and make San Diego a cleaner, healthier and safer city," the council president said, as per NBC San Diego. With a staggering $1.6 billion stormwater deficit, repairs and vital infrastructure upgrades remain in limbo, affecting community health and safety, particularly in underserved communities recently hit by flooding.
The withdrawn measure had proposed a parcel tax increase – a method that would've drawn in an estimated $130 million annually for stormwater projects. The median monthly cost of the tax would have been $18.67 for single-family properties, climbing to $145.44 for other properties, as The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. It would have tackled a backlog of projects, including clearing clogged storm drains and channels – a move to prevent catastrophic flooding the city has recently endured.
Climate Action Campaign, along with other advocacy groups, has expressed disappointment while also understanding the need for strategic retreat. "We must do everything we can to triple down on solutions to protect community health, safety and clean water — particularly in underserved communities," said Nicole Capretz, founder and CEO of Climate Action Campaign, as cited by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
As for the next steps, the San Diego Rules Committee will discuss the issue at its forthcoming meeting on Wednesday. Elo-Rivera's office has yet to disclose a definitive timeline on when the stormwater funding measure may reappear on the ballot. Given the nature of electoral dynamics, it's speculated that supporters might aim for a presidential election year for a potentially higher voter turnout. Meanwhile, the search for a sustainable solution to San Diego's stormwater woes continues.
