Measure K is a countywide half-cent sales tax extension passed by local voters in November 2016 to support essential County services and to maintain or replace critical facilities. It is also known as the “San Mateo County Critical Services Measure.” This page is intended to provide you with key financial information on revenues and expenditures. You will also find annual audits from the Controller's Office.
The table below shows Measure K revenues and expenditures since its inception.
| Fiscal Year | Measure K Revenues | Measure K Expenditures |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | $4,397,205 | -- |
| 2013-14 | $75,577,548 | $24,113,909 |
| 2014-15 | $80,598,111 | $36,396,204 |
| 2015-16 | $79,888,971 | $44,081,784 |
| 2016-17 | $83,033,888 | $58,199,714 |
| 2017-18 | $89,602,981 | $88,416,871 |
| 2018-19 | $98,604,386 | $102,600,256 |
| 2019-20 | $94,078,776 | $82,407,371 |
| 2020-21 | $88,750,803 | $69,968,983 |
| Total | $694,532,669 | $506,185,092 |
Note: a half-cent sales tax adds 10 cents to a taxable purchase of $20. The additional tax on a $100 taxable purchase is 50 cents.
Prescription drugs and most groceries are exempt from sales tax.
The table below shows expenditures by category.
| Category | FY 2013-14 | FY 2014-15 | FY 2015-16 | FY 2016-17 | FY 2017-18 | FY 2018-19 | FY 2019-20 | FY 20-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Safety | $228,119 | $1,285,944 | $4,511,842 | $8,030,731 | $13,526,145 | $33,653,264 | $14,645,131 | $3,779,509 |
| Health and Mental Health | $11,357,884 | $13,588,188 | $2,071,031 | $5,878,153 | $11,538,359 | $5,600,113 | $5,965,617 | $7,063,202 |
| Youth and Education | $2,034,153 | $4,657,981 | $7,707,190 | $9,848,136 | $16,666,482 | $17,105,593 | $12,878,528 | $13,919,562 |
| Housing and Homelessness | $2,105,830 | $1,656,064 | $5,329,043 | $17,124,988 | $19,331,031 | $24,283,097 | $21,349,860 | $20,178,158 |
| Parks and Environment | $281,331 | $2,924,610 | $2,307,862 | $2,992,735 | $2,321,755 | $3,868,171 | $9,058,079 | $5,849,702 |
| Older Adults and Veterans Services | $228,074 | $2,137,474 | $2,814,243 | $2,742,400 | $2,905,249 | $3,233,278 | $2,537,641 | |
| Community Services | $7,386,592 | $12,055,345 | $20,017,342 | $10,455,720 | $20,043,590 | $12,462,300 | $8,206,941 | $13,459,040 |
| District Specific/Discretionary/Loans | $1,055,009 | $2,247,098 | $2,722,469 | $7,069,937 | $3,182,168 | |||
| Totals | $24,113,909 | $36,396,204 | $44,081,784 | $58,199,715 | $88,416,871 | $102,600,256 | $82,407,371 | $69,968,983 |
Note: Initiatives funded by Measure K are placed in a category (Public Safety, Parks and Environment, for example) for ease of tracking and to help determine community impact. District Specific/Discretionary refers to expenditures recommended by a member of the Board of Supervisors (and approved by the full Board) to meet unanticipated or unmet community needs.