City of Oceanside Touts Updates On Measure X Sales Tax Projects

OCEANSIDE, CA — The City Of Oceanside released an update on the Measure X projects throughout Oceanside including results of the recent Citizens Oversight Committee meeting.

Measure X is the 1/2 cent sales tax measure passed in November 2018 by Oceanside voters for a period of seven years. The tax went into effect in April 2019 and provides for accountability by a Citizens Oversight Committee, separate funds, spending plans, and an annual independent audit.

The Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee met on March 10 to review the Year 4 Measure X Spending Plan and voted to recommend approval to the City Council at its Budget Workshop this April. The Plan proposes expenditures for pubic safety infrastructure projects, street and road repairs, construction costs for the new Fire Station 1, homelessness programs, a new "homegrown" Community Services Officer Program, traffic calming measures, and more.

Measure X Recent Project Updates

Measure X is funding the construction of the Oceanside Fire Department's Training Tower, which recently broke ground. OFD will have state-of-the-art technology to train on realistic structural and rescue scenarios to continually improve service, and protect lives and property in our community.

The Strand Road Repairs to Begin
While City engineers formalize locations for this year's road repair program, another big project is set to kick off, thanks to Measure X. Repairs along The Strand from Seagaze Street south to Wisconsin Avenue will occur from mid-March through May, while avoiding the IRONMAN 70.3 event and Memorial Day weekend. Residents will have full access to homes and The Strand will remain open to vehicle and pedestrian through traffic, however some delays should be expected on the busiest working days.

Bridge Housing for Homeless
Measure X helps fund 12 beds in communal living apartments in Oceanside. Bridge Housing provides a temporary living situation for up to 90 days while social workers help to find permanent housing and assist with social, financial, and life skills. In 2022, the program provided transitional housing for 15 people experiencing homelessness. 14 of the 15 have successfully moved into permanent housing.

Family Reunification Program
Measure X funds a program to help Oceanside's homeless residents reunite with family offering a place to live. This year to date, staff facilitated 12 family reunifications. The funds help provide coordinated travel and staff confirms with family to ensure they are awaiting the arrival and providing a safe space.

Emergency Medical Technicians
Thanks to Measure X, the EMT program successfully launched in September 2019. Three of four Oceanside Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances are staffed 24 hours by EMTs and one Firefighter/ Paramedic. An additional two Basic Life Support (BLS) units are staffed 24 hours by EMTs. This program provides Oceanside citizens with an enhanced service delivery, one that other cities are beginning to model. The EMT positions are a great way to provide strong background and training for entry into the Oceanside Fire Department. Oceanside residents are encouraged to explore this career pathway. EMT Program

New Firefighting Equipment
Measure X funds crucial lifesaving rescue equipment which allows the Oceanside Fire Department to be prepared for any scenario. New equipment purchased includes a versatile Vortex rescue rigging system, underwater sonar units to quickly identify submerged people in open water, Blue Card Training and Certification System for incident command, and an air Refill Station for self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders. The machine allows for the safe and efficient refilling of clean, breathable, compressed air cylinders used while firefighting, one of the most crucial parts of protective safety gear.

More information on Measure X