Measure M — a half cent public safety sales tax — was passed by voters in 2006 on the promise it would allow the city to ultimately hire 15 more police officers and 14 firefighters.

Today, 20 years later, Measure M has delivered those 29 frontline public safety personnel plus nine more fulltime positions.

Measure M is currently paying for 18 police officers and two sergeants. It is also covering the partial cost of two officers. That’s almost a quarter of the 86 sworn personnel at the Manteca Police Department.

One of the additional officers is funded 80 percent by Measure M and the other 61 percent. The balance for each officer is covered by a federal law enforcement grant.

The half cent sales tax is also now funding 18 firefighters or one third of six engine companies protecting the city.

The city’s ability to hire more public safety personnel with Measure M revenue is due to the city’s sales tax receipts outpacing inflation thanks to continued residential growth that has led to additional sales tax generating concerns such as retail stores, dining options, and gas stations.

The Measure M Public Safety Tax Citizens Oversight Committee is meeting Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St., to review financials and expenditures.

Measure M — between sales tax and investment earnings — generated $10.79 million in revenue during the 2025-2026 fiscal year ending June 30.

Expenditures came to $11.08 million, including $5.14 million for police salaries and benefits as well as $5.28 million for fire salaries and benefits.
The unaudited fund balance on June 30 was $5.7 million. That is $2.93 million above the $2.77 million reserve requirement.

Planned spending in the current fiscal yar is expected to exceed revenue by $1.27 million.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com