Measure L Committee Summary - January 15, 2026
Measure L Citizens' Oversight Committee Meeting
January 15, 2026 Meeting Agenda Summary
Meeting Information
Meeting Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Carnegie Forum, 305 W. Pine Street, Lodi
Contact: Jennelle Baker-Bechthold, Budget Manager
Phone: (209)
333-6722
Agenda Overview
The Measure L Citizens' Oversight Committee will convene on January 15, 2026, to review administrative matters and discuss proposed amendments to the Measure L Municipal Code. This meeting follows significant developments from the December 8, 2025 meeting, where Committee Chair John Beckman introduced proposed changes to the committee's scope and jurisdiction.
Formal Agenda Items
Item A: Call to Order / Roll Call
The meeting will begin with a formal call to order and attendance roll call of committee members.
Item B: Approve Minutes of the December 8, 2025 Meeting
The committee will review and approve the minutes from the December 8, 2025 Measure L Citizens' Oversight Committee Meeting. The December meeting minutes (included as Exhibit A) show that all committee members were present: Chair Beckman, Vice Chair Amador, Lish, and Young.
Key highlights from the December 8, 2025 meeting:
- Committee received the Draft Fiscal Year 24/25 Measure L Annual Accountability Report
- Vice Chair Amador inquired about the portion of Measure L funds allocated to salaries and benefits
- Budget Manager Baker-Bechthold committed to providing salary and benefits information at the next meeting
- Chair Beckman proposed creating a new slide for the Measure L Fiscal Year 2025-26 presentation
- The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Item C: Discuss Current Measure L Municipal Code and Option to Make Recommendation to City Council to Amend Language
This is the primary substantive item on the agenda.
Recommended Action: Discuss the current Measure L Municipal Code and the option to make a recommendation to the City Council to amend the language.
Strategic Alignment: This item supports Strategic Vision 3A: Fiscal Health - Promote City's transparency & fiscal fluency.
Item E: Adjournment
The meeting will conclude with a formal adjournment.
Background Context
This agenda item represents a significant development in the committee's evolution and potential expansion of oversight authority.
Timeline of Events
- December 8, 2025: Committee Chair John Beckman provided the committee with a letter to the Mayor proposing municipal code amendments
- December 17, 2025: Chair Beckman attended the City Council meeting to present the letter and documentation to all council members
- January 15, 2026: Committee will formally discuss whether the proposed municipal code updates are reasonable and should be formally recommended to the City Council
Proposed Municipal Code Changes
The committee will review proposed amendments to Lodi Municipal Code Section 3.30.150(C), which governs the Citizens' Oversight Committee's purposes and jurisdiction. The proposed changes would significantly expand the committee's scope of review.
Current vs. Proposed Language Comparison
| Aspect | Current Code | Proposed Amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Review | "The Committee shall confine its review specifically to revenues generated pursuant to this ordinance and the expenditure of those revenues." | "Conducting an annual review of all sales tax expenditures" (removes limitation to Measure L revenues only) |
| Evaluation Criteria | "Determine whether such funds are expended for the purposes set forth in this ordinance." | "Determine whether such funds are expended in the spirit of the ballot language presented to the voters for the passage of Measure L." |
| Jurisdictional Limits | Explicitly states the committee shall "confine its review specifically to revenues generated pursuant to this ordinance" | Removes the explicit confinement language, allowing broader review |
Key Differences Explained
1. Expanded Scope
The current code limits the committee's oversight to Measure L revenues and their expenditures only. The proposed amendment would allow the committee to review "all sales tax expenditures", potentially including other sales tax revenues beyond Measure L.
2. Changed Evaluation Standard
The current code requires determining if funds are spent "for the purposes set forth in this ordinance" (a specific legal standard). The proposed language shifts to whether funds are spent "in the spirit of the ballot language" (a broader, more interpretive standard).
3. Removal of Jurisdictional Constraints
The current code explicitly instructs the committee to "confine its review" to Measure L revenues. The proposed version removes this limiting language entirely, suggesting a broader oversight mandate.
Committee Considerations
The committee will need to discuss several important questions regarding the proposed amendments:
- Authority Expansion: Should the committee's oversight extend beyond Measure L revenues to all city sales tax expenditures?
- Legal Clarity: Does the change from "purposes set forth in this ordinance" to "spirit of the ballot language" provide clearer or more ambiguous guidance?
- Resource Implications: Would expanded oversight require additional staff support or committee time commitments?
- Transparency Goals: Do these changes better serve the strategic vision of promoting transparency and fiscal fluency?
- Voter Intent: Do the proposed changes align with what voters intended when they approved Measure L?
Administrative Information
Public Notice Requirements
The agenda was posted at least 72 hours in advance pursuant to Section 54954.2(a) of the California Government Code at a public place freely accessible to the public 24 hours a day.
Accessibility and Language Services
The City provides accommodations for persons with disabilities and language interpretation services with 72 hours advance notice. All staff reports and written documentation relating to agenda items are available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, located at 221 W. Pine Street, Lodi.
Disability Accommodations: Contact Jennelle Baker-Bechthold at (209) 333-6722 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
Language Interpretation: Solicitudes de interpretación de idiomas deben ser recibidas por lo menos con 72 horas de anticipación. Llame a Jennelle Baker-Bechthold (209) 333-6722.
About Measure L
Measure L is a general retail transactions tax approved by Lodi voters for unrestricted general revenue purposes. The tax was adopted under Lodi Municipal Code Section 3.30, which established the Citizens' Oversight Committee to provide accountability and transparency regarding the use of Measure L revenues.
Purpose of the Citizens' Oversight Committee
The committee is charged with:
- Meeting a minimum of three times per year
- Conducting annual reviews of Measure L expenditures
- Reviewing annual financial audits performed by independent auditors
- Issuing annual reports to the City Council and citizens of Lodi
- Serving in an advisory-only role to the City Council
Important Note: Committee members do not play a formal or informal role in the expenditure of funds or decision-making on spending priorities, schedules, project details, funding sources, or financing plans.
Document Information
Source Document: Measure L Citizens' Oversight Committee Meeting Agenda, January 15, 2026
Prepared By: Jennelle Baker-Bechthold, Budget Manager
Contact Information:
Jennelle Baker-Bechthold
Budget Manager
City of Lodi
Phone: (209)
333-6722
City Clerk's Office:
221 W. Pine Street
Lodi, California
Meeting Location:
Carnegie Forum
305 W. Pine Street
Lodi, California