Your Measure S Dollars at Work
From smoother streets and stronger flood protection to public safety, libraries, parks and other essential services, Measure S helps fund priorities San Mateo residents rely on every day.
Approved by nearly 70% of San Mateo voters in November 2015, Measure S is a locally controlled ¼-cent sales tax that provides approximately $7 million annually to support City services and infrastructure. Measure S funds stay local and are allocated through the City’s public budget process, with independent resident oversight providing an additional layer of accountability.
Explore how Measure S works, where the funding goes, and some of the projects and services it has helped support throughout San Mateo.
Measure S At a Glance
- ¼ cent sales tax
- Approved by San Mateo voters in 2015
- Effective through March 31, 2048
- Approximately $7 million projected revenue for FY 2025-26
- Funds stay local and support City of San Mateo services and infrastructure
- Independent resident oversight of Measure S revenues and expenditures
What is Measure S?
In 2009, San Mateans approved Measure L, a ¼ cent sales tax that was set to expire on March 31, 2018. In 2015, San Mateans approved Measure S extending this ¼ cent sales tax for 30 years through March 31, 2048.
Measure S provides a locally controlled source of revenue that supports City services and investments throughout San Mateo.
How Are Measure S Funds Used?
Measure S revenue supports a broad range of City services and infrastructure, including:
- Repairing and improving City's streets and infrastructure
- Maintaining police, fire, and emergency medical services
- Supporting senior and youth services
- Maintaining library public works, and parks and recreation services
- Improving flood protection and infrastructure
- Other essential community services
Because Measure S is a general-purpose local tax, the City Council determines funding allocations through the City’s annual public budget process.
Measure S in Action
Over the years, Measure S funding has supported a number of projects and initiatives:
North Shoreview Flood Improvement Project
Measure S helped support the North Shoreview Flood Improvement Project, a major investment in flood protection for the community. Construction was completed in 2023 and included pump station improvements for Coyote Point and Poplar Avenue Pump Stations and raising a 1,300-foot levee segment located between San Mateo and Burlingame. In 2024, FEMA issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), effective October 11, 2024. As a result, approximately 1,600 addresses were removed from designated flood zones.
Smooth Streets
Measure S also supports the City’s Smooth Streets Program, which reconstructs roads that have reached the end of their useful service life and can no longer be addressed through regular road maintenance. Since the program began approximately 15 miles of San Mateo streets have been restored, out of 22 miles identified for reconstruction. As of August 2026, Phase 5, the final phase of the Smooth Streets Program, is underway and includes work on 19 street segments throughout San Mateo:
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* Rolling Hills Avenue includes two separate project segments, which is why there are 19 segments across 18 named streets. |
Supporting Public Safety and Community Services
Measure S funding also helps maintain Police, Parks & Recreation, and Library services by funding positions such as Police Officers, Traffic Sergeants, Library Assistant, and more.
Infrastructure Debt Service
Measure S revenue also helps repay bonds issued to finance major street and flood-control improvements throughout San Mateo. These investments have supported street improvements and flood protection projects, such as the North Shoreview Flood Improvement Project.
In FY 2025-26, $2.69 million in Measure S funding was allocated toward debt service on the City’s street and flood-control lease revenue bonds. These annual payments help cover principal and interest on the City’s outstanding bonds.
Learn more about the City’s bonds and debt management.
Accountability and Independent Oversight
Measure S includes independent community oversight. The Measure S Oversight Committee is comprised of five San Mateo residents who review the receipt and expenditure of Measure S revenue. The Committee also provides an additional layer of public accountability by reviewing how Measure S funds are received and spent and reporting on compliance with Measure S requirements.
Measure S Financial and Compliance reports