CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will take a look at the upcoming fiscal year budget and hold a public hearing to introduce an ordinance that would place before voters a sales tax measure to raise funds to improve the city's infrastructure, in particular, its roads.

The council will meet beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, for a study session on the draft fiscal year 2016-17 budget before the regular session begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The council will host a public hearing to introduce the first reading of a proposed ordinance to place a 1-cent transaction and use tax on the November ballot.

The proceeds of the tax, which would be administered by the State Board of Equalization, would be used for funding the city's infrastructure needs, according to a report to the council from City Clerk Melissa Swanson.

Swanson said it's estimated that the tax will raise $1.6 million annually.

Of that amount, an expenditure plan included with Swanson's report says that 85 percent of the annual proceeds will be spent for road maintenance and improvements, 10 percent for maintenance equipment and personnel, and 5 percent for matching grant funding.

At its April 21 meeting the council reached consensus to pursue the tax.

The council at that time discussed certain parameters for the tax, including a 20-year sunset clause – unless there is a determination that it's still needed, in which case it would need to be placed before voters for approval of the extension – and the formation of an oversight committee to annually review the expenditures and make recommendations to the council.

In other business, the council will consider modifications to the mayor's 2016 appointments, receive an update from the Clearlake Police Department and hear a presentation from Konocti Regional Trails.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; receipt of notice of the annual rate modification from Clearlake Waste Solutions; and consideration of a letter of support for the Rides to Wellness grant proposal by the Lake County/City Area Planning Council.

The council will end the meeting by adjourning into closed session to discuss labor negotiations.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.