What Have Measure O Funds Made Possible, To Date?

(Rio Vista, Calif.) Police Chief Bowman explained that Measure O monies have made it possible for the City’s Police Department to recruit new officers to replace the ones that left; Fire Chief Alan Hartford said that this revenue stream made it possible to avoid significant cutbacks in both the City’s paramedic and fire protection services.

Other positive changes include response times for health-related emergencies; for example, paramedic and fire services, as well as high-priority crimes, are now at, or significantly below, national standards.

Unfortunately, the amount of money generated through the 2012 sales tax was not sufficient to have allowed City officials to address other pressing needs, such as repairing potholes in core City streets and roads.

“Hopefully, some funds will be made available for repairing potholes in City streets if this revenue stream is kept in place through the renewal of Measure O in the upcoming November 2016 election cycle,” said Rio Vista Mayor Norman Richardson.

“On the other hand,” `Richardson continued, “if this revenue stream is allowed to “sunset” (terminate), all of these public emergency services will once again be placed in serious jeopardy.”

To avoid any such setback, City officials are placing a Measure on the November 2016 ballot, asking Rio Vista voters to RENEW Measure O for another five years — thus, keeping this critical revenue stream in place.