With the November 2006 election, the citizens of Morro Bay voted in a 1/2 cent district sales tax, "Measure Q." This is a General Fund tax and has no sunset date. The Citizens Finance Committee, formerly the Citizens Oversight Committee, was established to review the semi-annual expense report of the City relative to activities funded with the additional general purpose local sales tax monies. The Committee is to present its findings and conclusions to the City Council for its review not later than December 31 of each year.

The ballot measure stated:
"To preserve the safety and character of Morro Bay, with priority on funding the essential services such as fire, paramedics, street and pothole repairs, storm drains, police, youth and park programs and other general community services, shall an ordinance be adopted increasing the City sales tax by one-half cent, subject to independent annual financial audits and establishing an independent taxpayers' advisory committee to review annual expenditures?"

The City Council divides the annual revenue estimate between the departments based on the language in the measure and campaign polls, and department requests.

Meetings

The Citizens Finance Committee meets monthly on a regular schedule during the months of January, February, April, May, August, November and December at 3 pm on the third Tuesday at the Veterans' Memorial Building at 209 Surf Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442.   

Please Note: Meetings are currently being held virtually in accordance with Section 3 of California Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020 in response to the present State of Emergency in existence due to the threat of COVID-19. All meetings will held via teleconference for all participants.  Please refer to the meeting agenda for public participation information.

Agendas and Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings.
View Most Recent Agenda | View All

Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Minutes | View All

Members

The Citizens Finance Committee is comprised of seven members and is appointed by the City Council (effective Feb. 1, 2021).

• Barbara Spagnola, Vice-Chair
• John Martin, Chair
• Bart Beckman
• Tina Wener
• Homer Alexander
• Lois Johnson
• Stephen Peck

Contact the Committee

If you would like to send written comments to the Committee, please email them at cfac@morrobayca.gov. Please note that comments will be sent to the Committee and select city staff.

NOTE: Clicking any direct email link will attempt to open your computer's default email client (if you haven't set this up it may try to open an email client you don't use). If this is not what you are trying to do, simply copy the email addresses above and paste them into the email you'd like to send.

NOTE: Email correspondence sent to or from members of the Committee via the city's website is considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act, Brown Act, and Council Policies and Procedures.