By Clayton Watch
THE CANDIDATES ARE SET. NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.
Measures M & N — What Clayton Voters Are Being Asked to Decide
Clayton Watch has now completed its individual write-ups on all four candidates running for Clayton City Council, Kim Trupiano, Maria Shulman, Amy Callaghan and Charlie Schmidt.
With the candidate profiles complete, we’re turning our attention to two important financial decisions facing Clayton voters this November: Measure M, a proposed 1% local sales tax, and Measure N, the renewal of Clayton’s existing Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) for another 10 years.
The two measures work differently, require different levels of voter approval, and address different City funding needs. In this article, we’ll explain what each measure does, what it costs, where the money goes, what it pays for, and what happens if it does not pass.
Our goal is straightforward: put the facts and numbers in one place so residents can understand what they are being asked to decide.
MEASURE M — THE 1% LOCAL SALES TAX
Measure M asks Clayton voters whether to approve an additional 1% local sales tax.
Clayton’s current sales tax rate is 8.75%. If Measure M passes, the total rate would increase to 9.75%.
THE NEW REVENUE STAYS IN CLAYTON
The additional revenue generated by Measure M would go to the City of Clayton for local City purposes.
It is not a new State or County tax. The new revenue stays in Clayton.
WHAT DOES 1% ACTUALLY COST?
One of the easiest ways to understand the proposed increase is to put it into everyday dollars.
For a taxable purchase of:
$5 — 5¢ additional tax
$10 — 10¢ additional tax
$50 — 50¢ additional tax
$100 — $1 additional tax
$500 — $5 additional tax
$1,000 — $10 additional tax
The tax applies only to purchases that are taxable under California law.
Unlike a property tax or parcel assessment, the amount paid depends on taxable purchases. People who live outside Clayton would also pay the additional tax when making taxable purchases in the City.
HOW MUCH WOULD MEASURE M GENERATE?
The City estimates that the additional 1% sales tax could generate approximately $1 million annually.
Actual collections could vary from year to year depending on taxable sales activity.
Measure M is a general tax and requires a simple majority, more than 50% of the votes cast, to pass.
MEASURE N — RENEWAL OF THE LMD FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS
Measure N asks Clayton voters whether to renew the City's existing Landscape Maintenance District for another 10 years.
THIS IS A RENEWAL — NOT A NEW DISTRICT
In 2007, Clayton voters approved Measure B with approximately 83% of the vote, authorizing the replacement Landscape Maintenance District for 10 years.
In 2016, voters approved Measure H with approximately 79% of the vote, extending the LMD for another 10 years.
That authorization is approaching its expiration, bringing the renewal before voters again in 2026.
WHAT DOES THE LMD HELP MAINTAIN?
Clayton's Landscape Maintenance District covers approximately:
515 acres of open space
27 miles of trails
7 miles of creekside trails and 20 miles of open-space trails
50 street islands and medians
More than 3,000 City trees
The District also covers approximately 2 million square feet of public roadway landscaping.
LANDSCAPING AND FIRE MITIGATION
LMD funds are used for authorized maintenance of trails, open space, roadside landscaping, community gateway entrances and other landscape-related responsibilities.
That work also includes weed abatement for critical fire mitigation and public safety.
With Clayton's extensive open-space areas, vegetation management includes mandatory firebreaks and weed trimming along trails, creeks and other areas where reducing potential fuel loads is important for fire safety.
LMD FUNDS ARE RESTRICTED
Unlike Measure M's general tax revenue, LMD funds are legally restricted to authorized Landscape Maintenance District purposes.
They cannot be redirected to unrelated City expenses such as police services.
For Fiscal Year 2025–26, the existing parcel assessment generated approximately $1.4 million for District maintenance.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MEASURE N DOESN'T PASS?
If Measure N does not pass, the existing LMD authorization will expire.
The City has stated that landscape-maintenance services would then be reduced, with the General Fund responsible for minimum fire-safety requirements.
That could require General Fund dollars otherwise available for City operations to be used for those responsibilities.
HOW MANY VOTES DOES MEASURE N NEED?
Because Measure N is a special tax dedicated to a specific purpose, it requires a two-thirds majority for approval.
For historical perspective:
2007 — Measure B: approximately 83% voted YES
2016 — Measure H: approximately 79% voted YES
Measure N asks voters whether to renew the LMD for another 10 years.
It’s your city. It’s your money. And it’s your vote.
