The Live Oak City Council on Sept. 16 approved a resolution that authorizes a conditional revenue-sharing agreement with Sutter County. This action is contingent on voters approving Measure G, a proposed 1% transaction-and-use tax slated for the Nov. 3 ballot. The council meeting record indicates this approval was conditional on the measure passing, with its primary aim being to address an approximately $800,000 general-fund structural deficit within the city.
Under the arrangement described by City Manager Benjamin Moody, the tax generated within Live Oak city limits would be entirely returned to the city. Conversely, tax revenue collected in unincorporated Sutter County would remain with the county. The agreement specifies that Live Oak would receive a minimum annual share of $750,000. This guaranteed amount, which would be prorated based on the start date of collections, is set to continue through the end of fiscal year 2027-28. Beyond this period, City Manager Moody stated that the city anticipates this annual share to exceed approximately $800,000, beginning in fiscal year 2028-29.
City Manager Moody informed the council that this prospective revenue is a critical component of a broader strategy to confront the city's financial challenges, specifically the general-fund structural deficit. He conveyed that the funding derived from Measure G would be instrumental in sustaining vital public safety services and other core operations, including the maintenance of city roads and the continued functionality of water operations. Moody cautioned the council that without the infusion of new revenue or other significant actions, Live Oak would inevitably face further reductions in services.
It is important to note that these figures regarding potential revenue and service impacts are staff projections and statements. They do not constitute a guarantee that Measure G will generate a specific amount of funding or that current service levels will be preserved. The city council’s action on Sept. 16 was solely to authorize a conditional agreement; it did not itself impose the tax or certify that Measure G would pass at the ballot box.
The current public record available for this story does not establish a certified election result for Measure G. Furthermore, it does not confirm a fully executed agreement between Live Oak and Sutter County, nor does it detail the complete provisions governing payment, audit procedures, termination clauses, or post-fiscal-2029 arrangements. These documents and the outcome of the Nov. 3 vote will be necessary to fully verify how the revenue-sharing arrangement will operate in practice and whether the projected revenue will begin flowing to the city of Live Oak as anticipated.
