The Nov. 3 ballot measure would authorize $898 million in bonds for community college repairs and upgrades. Here's what voters should know about the proposed projects and property tax costs.
The Nov. 3 ballot measure would extend an existing half-cent sales tax beyond 2040. Here's what voters should know and how the funding has benefited Redlands.
Commissioners will also review extensions for two previously approved housing projects totaling 568 apartments.
The Nov. 3 ballot measure would extend an existing half-cent sales tax beyond 2040. Here's what voters should know and how the funding has benefited Redlands.
Measure I is a countywide half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements. For every $100 in taxable purchases, 50 cents goes toward transportation projects.
San Bernardino County voters first approved the tax in 1989, and it took effect in 1990. Voters extended it in 2004, authorizing collections through March 31, 2040.
The revenue is administered by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and supports local streets and roads, highways, freeway interchanges, bridges, public transit and other transportation improvements.
Funds are restricted to transportation purposes and are subject to independent taxpayer oversight and financial audits.
A YES vote would extend the existing half-cent transportation sales tax beyond March 31, 2040, without increasing the tax rate. The tax would continue until repealed by county voters, subject to the payment of outstanding debt and fulfillment of committed contracts.
A NO vote would leave the existing tax unchanged, allowing it to expire March 31, 2040, as currently scheduled.
The measure requires approval from two-thirds of voters to pass.
Supporters argue that extending Measure I would preserve a reliable source of local funding for transportation improvements, allowing cities and regional agencies to plan and finance projects over the long term.
In the official ballot argument, supporters emphasize the tax's role in repairing roads, reducing traffic congestion, improving highway safety and supporting public transit without increasing the current tax rate.
They also point to Measure I's ability to attract additional state and federal transportation funding. According to supporters, the existing tax has helped secure nearly $3 billion in matching funds for regional projects.
Supporters argue that maintaining the tax would help San Bernardino County continue competing for outside funding while addressing transportation needs associated with population growth, economic development and aging infrastructure.
No official argument against Measure I was submitted for inclusion in the San Bernardino County voter information guide.
The central consideration for voters who oppose extending the tax is whether a transportation sales tax should continue without a fixed expiration date.
Under the existing authorization, the tax is scheduled to end in 2040. Measure I would remove that deadline, allowing collections to continue until voters approve a future repeal, subject to outstanding debt and contractual commitments.
The extension is projected to generate approximately $250 million annually. Without it, that revenue source would expire in 2040 unless voters approved another extension.
A no vote would not eliminate current transportation funding or affect the existing tax before its scheduled expiration.
Over the past 35 years, Measure I has helped fund transportation projects throughout Redlands, including local street repairs, traffic signals, freeway interchange improvements and the Arrow passenger rail service, which opened in 2022 with three stations in Redlands.
At a July 2025 Redlands City Council meeting, SBCTA officials reported that the city receives approximately $2 million annually in Measure I revenue to maintain and improve local streets.
Projects supported by the tax include improvements along Redlands Boulevard, Orange Street, Alabama Street, Colton Avenue, California Street and Citrus Avenue, as well as freeway projects along Interstate 10 and State Route 210.
Read more: 35 years in, Measure I continues funding Redlands transportation projects
On March 3, 2026, the Redlands City Council approved the proposed Measure I continuation expenditure plan developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA).
Under the plan, transportation revenue allocated to the San Bernardino Valley, which includes Redlands, would be divided into three categories:
Cities would also be required to initially reserve 5% of their local transportation allocations for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
The plan includes annual audits of local spending, independent taxpayer oversight and requirements that transportation revenue collected within designated regions benefit those regions.
The City Council's approval was part of the process required to place the Measure I extension before voters. It did not extend the tax, which requires voter approval in November.
Measure I will appear on ballots throughout San Bernardino County in the Nov. 3 general election.
Voters can review the official ballot language, impartial analysis and arguments in the San Bernardino County Voter Information Guide.
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