(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Sacramento County voters will decide several local ballot measures in the Nov. 3 election, including school construction bonds, a parcel tax for special education and proposals to change city government procedures and campaign contribution limits.
The measures vary in cost, scope and voting requirements. School bond measures generally require 55 percent voter approval, while Sacramento City Unified School District’s proposed special education parcel tax requires a two-thirds majority. Several measures in Folsom and Galt would change how local officials are selected and how city boards and commissions operate.
The following is a summary of nine measures reviewed for this guide. Ballots vary by jurisdiction, so voters should consult their official sample ballots for a complete list of measures applicable to them.
Measure D: Natomas Unified School District
Natomas Unified is asking voters to authorize up to $300 million in bonds for school repairs, safety improvements, accessibility upgrades and additional classroom space.
The bonds would require 55 percent approval. The estimated average annual tax rate is $59.38 per $100,000 of assessed property value, with a maximum estimated rate of $60. The district would be required to provide citizen oversight and annual independent audits. Bond proceeds could not be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other operating expenses.
Measure E: Center Joint Unified School District
Center Joint Unified is seeking authorization to issue up to $197 million in bonds for school facility improvements, including roof and plumbing repairs, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, safety improvements, science and career-training classrooms, and additional enrollment capacity.
The measure requires 55 percent approval. The estimated average annual tax rate is $54.94 per $100,000 of assessed value, with a maximum estimated rate of $60. The district would provide annual audits and citizen oversight. Bond funds could not be used for salaries or operating expenses.
Measure G: Galt Joint Union High School District
Galt Joint Union High School District is asking voters to approve up to $43 million in bonds for campus repairs, safety improvements and career and vocational education facilities. Proposed work includes improvements to welding, construction, plumbing and agricultural programs, along with roof repairs, plumbing and HVAC upgrades, and remediation of asbestos or mold where needed.
The measure requires 55 percent approval. The estimated average annual tax rate is $29.62 per $100,000 of assessed value, with a maximum estimated rate of $30. The district would be subject to annual independent financial and performance audits and citizen oversight. Bond money could not be used for salaries, pensions or general operating costs.
Measure H: Los Rios Community College District
Los Rios Community College District is seeking authorization for up to $1.1 billion in bonds for facilities serving American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake and Sacramento City colleges, along with district centers. Proposed projects include new and modernized classrooms and laboratories, workforce-training facilities, safety improvements, roof repairs, safe drinking water projects, student housing at Cosumnes River College and expansion of the Rancho Cordova Center.
The measure requires 55 percent approval but applies only to voters within School Facilities Improvement District No. 1, which includes portions of Sacramento and Yolo counties. The estimated average annual tax rate is $16.55 per $100,000 of assessed value, with the highest estimated rate reaching $20.80 in specified fiscal years. The district would provide annual audits, citizen oversight and public reporting. Bond proceeds could not be used for salaries or operating expenses.
Measure M: Sacramento City Unified School District
Sacramento City Unified School District is asking voters to approve a $95 annual parcel tax to fund special education services and early intervention programs. The tax would begin July 1, 2027, and continue until voters amend or repeal it. The district estimates it would generate about $10 million annually.
Revenue could support special education and early intervention, behavioral and speech-language services, specialized academic programs, qualified teachers and therapists, and classroom resources and technology. The measure prohibits spending the revenue on administrators’ salaries, benefits or pensions.
The tax could increase annually in line with the San Francisco Bay Area Consumer Price Index, beginning in the second fiscal year after approval, with increases capped at 3 percent per year.
Exemptions would be available for qualifying owner-occupied, single-family parcels owned by residents 65 or older, people receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, and certain Social Security Disability Insurance recipients who meet the measure’s income limit. Renters would not qualify directly for an exemption.
The district would keep the tax revenue in a separate fund and report annually on collections, spending and funded programs. The measure does not require an independent citizens’ oversight committee.
Supporters say the tax would help address special education funding shortfalls and expand an early intervention program currently operating at 10 elementary schools. Opponents argue the district should address its financial management and budget problems before imposing a tax that can increase annually and has no automatic expiration. Measure M requires approval by two-thirds of voters.
Measure I: City of Folsom
Measure I would amend Folsom’s city charter to give the City Council, rather than the city manager, authority to appoint, suspend or remove the city attorney.
The proposed amendment includes procedural protections for removal or suspension, including a public hearing following 10 days’ published notice and restrictions on certain actions during the 90 days after a newly elected or appointed councilmember takes office. The measure requires a majority vote for approval. No argument against the measure was filed in the county’s official ballot materials.
Measure J: City of Folsom
Measure J would allow the Folsom City Council to grant decision-making authority to city boards and commissions by ordinance. The commissions currently serve in an advisory role. The measure would not automatically give any commission new authority; the council could determine the scope of authority granted and could later revoke it.
The Historic District Commission could be affected because it reviews development proposals in Folsom’s Historic District. If the commission were granted decision-making authority, some projects could proceed without separate City Council approval. Commission decisions would remain appealable to the council. The measure requires a majority vote for approval.
Measure K: City of Folsom
Measure K would raise the campaign contribution limit for Folsom City Council candidates from $150 to $500 per person per election. Voters established the existing limit in 1994. The change would apply only to City Council candidate elections in Folsom, not to ballot-measure campaigns or elections outside the city. The measure requires a majority vote for approval.
Measure L: City of Galt
Measure L would make the offices of Galt city treasurer and city clerk appointive rather than elected, with the change taking effect after the 2028 general election if approved.
Under the proposal, the City Council would appoint both officials, who would serve at the council’s pleasure and be subject to city employment terms and personnel policies. The council could establish education and training requirements and conduct annual performance reviews. The measure would remove the state residency requirements that apply to elected treasurers and clerks. The measure requires a majority vote for approval.
Where to find more information
This list is not exhaustive. Measures on individual ballots may vary by city, school district and special district. Voters should consult their official sample ballots for a complete list of measures applicable to their jurisdiction. The Sacramento County Registrar of Voters provides official measure information at https://elections.saccounty.gov/us/en/election-information/current-measure-information.html.
People casting votes in a polling station on election day, emphasizing civic engagement. Credit: Edmond Dantès, pexels.com.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Sacramento tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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