The Facts Supporting Accountability

Documented information provides clarity on Measure J public safety funds.

WHAT MEASURE J PROMISED

In November 2024, Brawley voters approved Measure J, raising the local sales tax from 7.75% to 8.75%. The ballot language specifically promised the new revenue would fund:

911 emergency response
Fire protection and firefighter paramedics
Neighborhood police patrols
Gang and drug prevention
Keeping parks and public areas safe and clean

Don’t take our word for it. “Click here to read what the City promised voters”

A fire engine has it's front wheels raised up by a stabilizer used for when the ladder is raised up.

HOW MUCH IT HAS RAISED

Measure J has generated more than $4.4 million since it took effect on April 1, 2025:

$1,033,880 collected in FY2024/25
$4,454,000 collected in FY2025/26

HOW IT’S BEING SPENT VS. HOW IT WAS PROMISED

Despite this new revenue, the City is diverting the majority of Measure J funds away from public safety and toward other general purposes, not the 911 response, fire protection, and police patrols voters were promised.

THE COMPENSATION GAP

Brawley police officers have the lowest total compensation among comparator agencies in the region. Police Officer I total compensation is 30.6% below the comparator mean.

Brawley firefighters rank second-to-last among comparator agencies. Top-step salary is 35% below the comparator average, and total compensation lags by nearly 17%.

Fire Engineer base salary is 46% below the comparator average.