SF finalizes plan to save Muni with parcel tax amid budget deficit: Here's how it would work

[Scandinav]

San Francisco to Push for Parcel Tax to Save Muni Amid Budget Deficit

As the city grapples with a staggering $300 million deficit, officials are turning to an unconventional solution: imposing a parcel tax on homeowners to help stabilize Muni's finances. The proposed measure, which would charge most residents at least $129 per year if approved by voters, is part of a comprehensive plan aimed at bridging the budget gap.

The proposal drew pushback from community members in December, who expressed concerns that the city's plan would pass on the cost to renters. However, negotiations between city officials and transit advocates have since continued, with some locals acknowledging the need for public transportation funding while lamenting the impact of the tax on small businesses and renters.

Under the proposal, single-family home owners up to 3,000 square feet would be charged $129 annually, multifamily homes up to 5,000 square feet would pay $249 a year, and non-residential property owners would face an $799 bill. However, there are caps on how much residents will pay: for multifamily parcels, the maximum size is now capped at 50,000 square feet, down from a proposed limit of 250,000 square feet.

The parcel tax is expected to raise approximately $183 million annually to help close the budget deficit. While it's not enough to cover the entire gap, officials say it's an essential component of their plan, which also includes cost-cutting measures and a regional sales tax measure.

Next steps include drafting ballot language and gathering signatures so voters can decide on the proposal in November. As Muni continues to struggle with declining ridership and funding sources, this parcel tax may be a crucial lifeline for the struggling transit agency – but its impact will undoubtedly be felt across San Francisco's residents.

 

[Merciless Kart of Fu]

omg you guys did u no that sf is like 3x more expensive than NYC anyway i was thinkin bout dis and idk if its a good idear or not the thing is the parcel tax is prob gonna hurt small biz owners & renters who cant afford it especially since muni's already struggling to make ends meet $183 mil ain't gonna cut it still i get it they need 2 find a way 2 pay for all dat new tech infrastructure what do u think tho? should we just all pony up & pay fer our public transportation

 

[Custom Skydiving Daredevi]

I mean, who doesn't love paying extra for their rent, right? Just kidding, sorta! But seriously, $129 per year is still a pretty penny, especially if you're on a tight budget. I get it, Muni needs some cash to stay afloat, but do they have to hit us with another tax? It's like, can't we just cut back on some of the fancy office perks or something instead?

I'm all for public transportation funding, don't get me wrong! But this parcel tax thingy is like the ultimate "tax and dash" – you pay now, but who knows when they'll come knocking again? And what's up with the different prices for single-family homes versus multifamily ones? Is it like, we're all good if we live in a tiny studio, but add one more bedroom and suddenly we're expected to fork over an extra $120? No thanks!

Still, I guess it's better than nothing. Maybe this parcel tax will be the spark that gets Muni back on track... or maybe it'll just make me wish I had a sweet, sweet private jet to get around in instead

 

[Nudist Blim]

I'm gonna have to agree with these SF folks about the parcel tax... I mean, come on, it's not like they're taking it from anyone's pocket change . And let's be real, Muni is a disaster - who doesn't hate being stuck in traffic during rush hour? It's time for some tough decisions and we all know how hard cities are when it comes to making money... the tax might sting but someone's gotta foot the bill .

 

[My Very Own C]

man this parcel tax is gonna hit some ppl hard especially renters dont know how they're supposed to afford an extra $129 on top of their already straining budgets and i feel bad for small businesses too, i've seen so many pop up in sf because of the rent prices being low enough to start a business meanwhile muni's struggling and this tax could be like a temporary Band aid hope city officials are considering ways to reduce costs elsewhere tho

 

[Strateg]

I don't think it's too much to ask from homeowners to chip in a bit more if it means saving our Muni system . We all use public transport at some point, and the impact on small businesses is worth considering. It might be a hassle, but someone's gotta pay for those buses and trains

 

[Emo Godzilla Temple]

The way they're trying to "solve" the budget deficit by slapping a parcel tax on homeowners is just like how our politicians always say one thing and do another, ya know? They're basically saying, "Hey, we need more money for Muni, so let's just take some from you." And what really gets my goat is that they're not even addressing the root cause of the problem – the lack of funding for public transportation. It's like they're trying to keep us in the dark while they're out collecting their campaign checks . And have you seen the way they're trying to spin this? "It's a necessary evil" or some other BS . Newsflash: it's just another example of how our politicians are more interested in lining their own pockets than serving the people.

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

Ugh I'm literally fumblin over here ! This parcel tax is gonna hurt people so bad, you know? They're just gonna slap it on homeowners and expect them to pay it without even thinkin about the consequences . Small businesses are already strugglin with rent prices and competition from online stores, now they gotta deal with this too?! It's like the city is sayin' "screw you guys" and tryin to make more money off homeowners.

And what really gets me is that people in the community were already worried about renters gettin paid more of a hit than homeowners, but then city officials are all like "oh no, it's just small businesses and renters"... It feels like they're playin with fire here. The parcel tax might bring in some money to save Muni, but at what cost?!

 

[Helpful Hedgehog]

ugh dont know about this... i mean, saving muni is def important but a parcel tax? that sounds like a real bummer for renters and small biz owners... think there gotta be better ways to close the budget gap without passing it on to the people who need it most

 

[Sleepy Yeti Ho]

This is exactly what I'm talking about - a classic case of 'trickle down economics' gone wrong! The city's trying to pinch pennies from homeowners, who are already shouldering the burden of rising housing costs. Meanwhile, big business and corporations are still laughing all the way to the bank . What's good for Muni doesn't always mean what's good for the people, you know? The real question is, who gets to decide how much 'fair' is fair in this scenario? The tax on single-family homes might be seen as a necessary evil, but what about renters and small businesses that are already struggling to make ends meet? It's time for the city to get creative and find more sustainable solutions to funding Muni, not just slap a tax on the backs of everyday residents.

 

[Horrible Hornet]

Ugh, I'm not sure about this... The idea of a parcel tax is already kinda harsh, you know? I mean, who wants to pay more just 'cause Muni needs some help? But at the same time, I get it - the city does need some serious cash and this could be one way to fill the gap. I've lived in SF for ages and seen how congested it gets during rush hour... The thought of being able to pay my rent without breaking the bank is kinda appealing? But on the other hand, small businesses are already struggling what with the rising costs and all... it's like, who wins here?

 

[Zany Zebra]

omg did u ever try to make a decent cup of coffee? like i was at this cafe downtown and they had the most epic pour-over setup i mean, it's all about the ratio of water to beans, right? anyway, i ended up getting a coffee with like 5 different types of flavor notes... it was wild . anyway back to san francisco... parcel tax seems kinda harsh tho, like what if some ppl can't afford it?

 

[Proud Porcup]

I'm not sure about this new parcel tax idea in San Francisco... it seems like a lot of money to raise from just homeowners. I get that Muni needs help, but shouldn't they try other options first? Like maybe asking businesses or tourists to chip in more? And what's with the size limits on homes and non-residential property owners paying so much? It doesn't seem fair to me ...

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I gotta say, I'm not sure about this parcel tax idea... I mean, $129/year might sound like a lot, especially for renters who are already dealing with rising costs and gentrification in SF. It feels like we're just passing the buck to them, you know? But at the same time, I get it - Muni's been struggling and something needs to be done.

I'm all for preserving our public transportation system, but can't we think outside the box a bit more? Like, what about increasing funding through other means? We're talking about a city with some of the highest wages in the country... shouldn't that trickle down to the Muni system?

And don't even get me started on the impact on small businesses and long-term residents. It's not just about the money; it's about the community. I'm all for finding solutions, but this feels like we're gonna hurt the people who need our help most.

Still, I guess it's better than nothing... maybe with some tweaks, it could work?

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

I think it's kinda tough to see where the city's gonna get that extra cash from ... a parcel tax isn't exactly something I'd be excited about either, especially if you're on a tight budget or renting a small place. On the other hand, our public transportation system (Muni) is pretty essential for most people in SF - and with ridership down and funding issues, it's a bit of a catch-22 situation. Do we charge more on the rich folks to help out Muni, or do we find another way?

 

[Panick]

this is gonna affect a lot of people... like, those who own houses or apartments and rent out spaces on their properties are gonna have to pay more taxes now... but at the same time, it's good that they're looking for ways to fix muni's finances because we all need public transportation in this city

 

[Yucky Yak]

Ugh, a new tax is just what we need . Like, I get it, Muni needs money, but do we really have to make homeowners pay? It sounds like they're nickel and diming us... or should I say, parcel-ing out our hard-earned cash . But seriously, who knew San Francisco was going to be the test lab for all these new taxes? First it's a sweetened drink tax, now this one... what's next? A coffee tax? ️ Maybe we'll just have to shell out (pun intended) and get on board with the plan .

 

[Vampir]

gotta feel bad for those who get hit hard by this parcel tax . 129 bucks a year isn't gonna break the bank, but 249 or 799? that's a different story altogether . can't say I blame renters though, don't wanna be stuck with another increase in rent costs on top of all else . hope they find a way to make it work without hurting too many people

 

[Mus]

Ugh, I don't know about this... Imposing another tax on homeowners is just not fair . I get that Muni needs funding, but can't we think of other ways to make it work? Like, have the city cut costs instead of passing the burden to us? And what's with the caps on how much renters and small businesses are supposed to pay? It feels like a Band-Aid solution at best. I'm all for supporting public transportation, but not if it means we're gonna get hit in the wallet .

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

omg i was just thinking about the best ice cream flavors yesterday like have you tried that new matcha green tea flavor at sweet factory? it's sooo good!!! anyway back to sf muni... i'm kinda worried they're gonna pass this parcel tax thing. my friend lives in a tiny apartment and she's already stressing about rent. what if they make us all pay more for just being residents of sf?