Measure T: Measure T - City Of Albany - Street Trees & Streetlighting Parcel Tax Measure

In plain language

Measure T would create a new special tax in the City of Albany to pay for street trees and streetlighting. A YES vote sets a tax of $0.0354 per lot square foot on non-exempt property, with the rate allowed to rise up to 3% each year to keep up with inflation. Low-income residents who qualify would be exempt. A NO vote means this new tax does not take effect.

Fiscal impact

The tax would be $0.0354 per lot square foot, able to rise up to 3% a year, and would raise about $775,000 a year until voters end it.

Impartial analysis

CITY OF ALBANY CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE “T” ENACTING A CITY SPECIAL PARCEL TAX TO FUND STREET TREES AND STREETLIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE On July 6, 2026, the City Council voted to place Measure “T” on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. If approved by two -thirds (2/3) of Albany voters, this Measure would enact a new special parcel tax on property with in the City to fund street trees and streetlighting improvements and maintenance as follows: ▪ E stablish a rate at $0.0354 per taxable lot square foot commencing July 1, 2027, subject to an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment and an annual 3% cap; ▪ Provide that only the first 500,000 lot square feet of a parcel would be subject to the tax and any square footage above 500,000 on a parcel would be exempt from the tax; ▪ Establish a 100% exemption for residential parcels owned by qualifying very low- income residents, and a 50% exemption for qualifying low- income resident owners, as defined therein; and ▪ Establish a 100% rebate to qualifying very low -income renters of tax imposed on a rental unit where they reside, and a 50% rebate to similarly qualifying low - income renters, as defined therein. This tax would apply to possessory interests (i.e. leaseholds) on a parcel where the owner is exempt from parcel taxation. The tax is estimated to generate $775,000 annually until repealed by voters at a subsequent election. The revenue from this tax would be deposited into a dedicated “Street Tr ees and Streetlighting Special Tax Fund” and used for “S treet T rees Improvement and Maintenance” and “Streetlighting Improvement and M aintenance”, as those terms are defined in the Measure. This parcel tax would be collected the same and be subject to the same requirements as other property taxes collected by the County of Alameda on behalf of the City of Albany. This Measure would require t he City’s Finance Director to prepare an annual accountability report showing: (i) parcel tax revenues collected and spent; and (ii) status of projects/work funded with tax revenues. A “yes” vote on Measure “T” will approve this street trees and streetlighting improvement and maintenance parcel tax. A “no” vote on Measure “T” will not approve this street trees and streetlighting improvement and maintenance parcel tax. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure “T”. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please call the Office of the City Clerk at [phone number omitted] and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. / s/ M alathy Subramanian City Attorney

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.