DATE:
October 8, 2024
14
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO DECLARE ITS SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 4 ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT TO PASS THE SAFE DRINKING WATER, WILDFIRE PREVENTION, DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS, AND CLEAN AIR BOND ACT OF 2024 (DISTRICT: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Californians are feeling the impacts of a changing climate from devastating wildfires, loss of natural areas, extreme summer heat events, rising sea levels, and other major threats from a changing climate. In the County of San Diego (the "County"), the combination of inadequate, aging infrastructure and increasingly frequent climate-related emergencies has resulted in severe environmental, economic, and property damage.
The County has been working diligently with community stakeholders to develop concrete solutions to ensure the County has the necessary infrastructure to stay resilient in the face of these climate related challenges. While solutions have been identified, additional funding is needed to complete the infrastructure projects needed to address our changing environment. The County is committed to pursuing all available funding options at the local, state, and federal level. No single source will be sufficient, and a variety of tools are needed.
One such tool is Proposition 4, which is on the ballot this November and seeks to pass the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (the "Climate Bond"). The proposed Climate Bond, signed by Governor Newsom and passed with a bipartisan supermajority of California legislators, would authorize $10 billion in state general obligation bonds for various projects to reduce climate risks and impacts, including:
* $3.8 billion for safe drinking water and water resilience;
* $1.95 billion for wildfire prevention and extreme heat mitigation;
* $1.9 billion for protection of natural lands, parks, and wildlife;
* $1.2 ...
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