About Measure E
Sacramento’s Measure E will renew (and not increase) the existing parcel taxes in the City of Sacramento to ensure libraries stay open 5 days a week, as they are now, and continue to offer their current level of services - without raising any taxes.
Measure E consolidates and renews the City of Sacramento’s two existing parcel taxes created by voter-approved Measure B and Measure X. It does not increase the tax; it simply makes it permanent unless repealed by the voters.
Voting Yes on Measure E ensures that Sacramento libraries will be able to stay open five days a week and continue vital services:
Providing a safe space for teens and seniors
24/7 online access to library resources
After school homework & reading programs for children & story time for preschoolers
Providing digital technology for those who don’t have access to computers or the internet at home
Resources to help people find jobs & access community services
Being accessible to those with disabilities
About the Sacramento Library
Sacramento Public Library is the state’s fourth-largest library system. The library’s 720,073 cardholders saved an estimated $41.3 million last fiscal year just by borrowing digital items.
Libraries in the City of Sacramento offer an extensive range of programs and services at 12 locations, and were visited by over 920,096 people last year. In that time, visitors logged 136,305 hours of computer use at city branches and the libraries hosted 657 community gatherings.
Friends of the Sacramento Public Library is a volunteer helpmate to the Sacramento Public Library system. As a membership-supported nonprofit, the Friends serve as a community ambassador for the Library. Their volunteer activities help the Library expand the materials and programs serving our diverse community.
FAQs
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No. Measure E will not change or increase any tax rates currently paid by taxpayers. It will simply renew the existing rates.
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Landowners of single-family homes currently pay $54.50 annually toward the parcel tax. The amount per unit decreases depending on type of residential unit (e.g. multi-family, apartments, condominiums, mobile homes, etc.)
Landowners of non-residential buildings pay a per-acre dollar amount, depending on the type of property, ranging from $81.75 per acre to $245.26 per acre. (See chart for full details.)
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The parcel tax can pay for programs for children, teens, and seniors; regular open hours at city libraries; library staff; acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials; and access to technology at city libraries.
The funding raised by the parcel tax is subject to the same independent annual audit requirements as other Sacramento Public Library Authority revenues, meaning the spending will be audited annually and the findings will be presented to the Sacramento Public Library Authority board and made available for public review.
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The funding raised by the library parcel tax accounts for approximately 20% of the library’s annual total budget. Elimination of this funding would lead to a disruption in hours of operation and services offered by libraries, and possible closures.
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Measure E must be approved by two-thirds of voters on November 5 in order to pass.
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If Measure E does not pass, libraries in the City of Sacramento will have to consider substantial ways to cut costs, including decreases to staffing and services, and fewer days of operation each week (possibly 3 days a week instead of being open 5 days a week as they are now).
The funding that Measure E would provide accounts for nearly 25% of the Sacramento Public Library's total budget, meaning libraries in the County could also be impacted by adjustments to that budget.