Rocklin Measures C and D: What voters need to know

Election season has arrived in Placer County and Rocklin voters will be asked to decide on two local measures on their Nov. 3 ballot -- Measure C, a city of Rocklin sales tax increase, and Measure D, a bond initiative for the Rocklin Unified School District. Measure C: The city of Rocklin Measure C is a proposed half-cent sales tax for the City of Rocklin. If approved, it would generate an estimated $8 million annually in general revenue for city services. The money would remain local and the measure would stay in effect unless Rocklin voters later repeal it. The city says the revenue could help maintain police and fire services, 911 emergency response, parks and open space, streets and roads, wildfire prevention, community facilities and programs, improving city residents' quality of life. The proposal comes as Rocklin faces projected budget deficits in future years, although officials say the city is not currently facing an immediate financial crisis. Measure C includes accountability provisions, including annual independent audits and public reporting on how the money is spent. A simple 50 percent majority of votes is required for the measure to pass. Measure D: Rocklin Unified School District Measure D is a $288 million bond measure for Rocklin Unified School District. It would provide funding for repairs, modernization and improvements of local school facilities within the district. The RUSD's 2024 Facilities Master Plan identified more than $300 million in facility repair and modernization needs. If approved, Measure D could fund projects such as roof repair/replacement, plumbing, upgrading heating and air-conditioning systems, improving electrical systems and campus safety, replacing aging portable classrooms and expanding career technical education facilities. The district estimates the measure would cost approximately $59 per $100,000 of assessed property value (not current market value) annually while the bonds are outstanding. Since an existing bond tax will expire in 2028, the district says, Measure D will not increase residents' overall school bond tax rate. Measure D requires a 55 percent voter approval and would apply to registered voters within the Rocklin Unified School District boundaries.