Measure U

In November 2018, Placentia voters overwhelmingly approved Measure U, a 1% sales tax increase to help fund the cost of much-needed infrastructure repairs and maintenance as well as public safety and other critical services. Measure U sales tax increase began collection on April 1, 2019.

Use of Measure U

Measure U allows the City to fund services at levels consistent with the community’s priorities and the public’s desired quality of life and would prevent the need for further significant cuts to vital City services and programs. To ensure the Measure U funds are spent accordingly, the Placentia City Council voted unanimously (5-0) to update the Reserve Policy to include guidelines for appropriating new ongoing or one-time unrestricted revenues to be used for specific purposes, as shown in the table below. “New Ongoing Revenues” are defined as a new general tax, an increase in the rate of an existing general tax (such as Measure U), a new lease of City property, or other new, clearly identifiable unrestricted revenue source not previously included in the City’s budget at the time of adoption of this policy, which generates at least $100,000 per year in revenue and is expected to continue for at least a period of 20 years.

General Fund Reserve Policy (Policy 460)

Reserve Account	New Ongoing Revenues		New One-time Revenues
Reserve Account	Before GF Reserve Target Met	After GF Reserve Target Met	Before GF Reserve Target Met	After GF Reserve Target Met
Infrastructure, Vehicles, and Equipment Reserve	40%	50%	40%	80%
Post-Employment Benefits Sustainability Reserve	10%	10%	10%	20%
Employee Recruitment and Retention Reserve (including additional staff)	30%	30%	0%	0%
General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance	20%	10%	50%	0%

The purpose of this funding allocation is to ensure that the new reserve areas are prioritized long-term and ultimately improve the City’s fiscal health. To ensure that the policy is applied consistently by future City administrations and Councils, any modification to this policy requires a supermajority or 4/5ths vote of the City Council.

Lastly, Measure U also established an independent Measure U Committee. The Committee reviews and reports on all Measure U expenditure plans and financial reports to ensure spending is consistent with General Fund Reserve Policy No. 460, as outlined in the above table. The Citizens Oversight Committee will meet regularly at meetings that are open to the public.

Thank you for your continued support and keep an eye out for the Measure U logo to see Placentia’s tax dollars at work throughout the City.

Measure U Annual Report

Measure U Improvement Projects

Current Street Improvement Projects:

Project Name	Description	Status	Budget
FY 2023-24 Residential Slurry Seal Project	This project will rehabilitate approximately 1.9 million square feet of residential streets. The following streets will be fully reconstructed: Hudson, Williamette, Roanoke, Little Big Horn and Susquehanna. Damaged sidewalk panels and curb and gutter will be also replaced as part of this project.	Under Construction Timeline: January 2025 - February 2025	$2,447,872.29 (Measure U, SB 1/RMRA and Cost Share Reimbursement from City of Anaheim)
FY 2023-24 Arterial Street Rehabilitation Project	This project will repave approximately 500,000 square feet of arterial streets. The project location includes Chapman Avenue from Placentia Avenue to Kraemer Boulevard and Melrose Street from Orangethorpe Avenue to Crowther Avenue. Damaged sidewalk panels and curb and gutter will be also replaced as part of this project.	Under Construction Timeline: January 2025 - April 2025	$3,337,060.44 (Measure U, SB 1/RMRA, Measure M, Citywide Storm Drain Impact Fees, and TOD Streetscape Impact Fees)
FY 2024-25 Concrete Repair Project	The scope of this project includes the removal and replacement of damaged sidewalk, curb and gutter at various locations.	Construction contract was awarded on January 14, 2025.	$140,780.00 (Measure U)

Project Maps:

FY 2023-2024 Street Resurfacing and Slurry Seal Project

Current Park Improvement Projects:

Project Name	Description	Status	Budget
Whitten Center Flooring Improvement Project Replacement	The scope of this project includes the removal of the existing sheet vinyl flooring and rubber base boards, prepping the existing surface for the new flooring, installation of LVT in conformance with manufacturers requirements, and installation of new rubber base boards.	Under Construction Timeline: January 2025 - February 2025	$50,000 (Measure U)
Tuffree Park Sports Fields Light Replacement Project	The project will include the complete removal and replacement of the Tuffree park baseball field lighting and pickleball/tennis courts lighting. The current lighting systems at the baseball fields and at the pickleball/tennis courts are past their functional lifetime and require replacement. The new lighting will make playing conditions at the baseball fields and pickleball/tennis courts much safer and enhance over all park conditions	Construction contract was awarded on September 17, 2024.	$241,000 (Measure U and Park & Rec Impact Fees)