Opinion: Measure P Is a Smart Investment to Keep Chula Vista Safe and Thriving

Chula Vista is a unique and special community with safe neighborhoods, quality schools and affordable homes for middle class families. But like many growing communities, we face challenges — aging infrastructure, increasing demands on public safety, and the need for critical repairs that protect the quality of life we’ve worked hard to build. Measure P is how we keep meeting these challenges head-on.

First approved by voters in 2016, Measure P established a half-cent sales tax to fund essential improvements across Chula Vista, and it has delivered real results. From repaving streets to modernizing public safety equipment, Measure P has proven to be a lifeline for our community, making sure we stay safe, well-maintained, and ready for the future.

By voting “yes” on Measure P this November, we can continue this vital work, ensuring that Chula Vista remains a place where everyday families can thrive for years to come. In just a few years, Measure P has already repaved 337 streets, replaced 150 storm drains, and provided the funding for new fire engines, police vehicles, and equipment needed to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies throughout the city.

Think about our diverse neighborhoods, like the tree-lined streets of the west side or the new developments across Eastlake and Otay Ranch — every part of Chula Vista has benefited from Measure P. And as our city continues to grow, the need for infrastructure improvements will only increase. Measure P is set to sunset in 2026, but the need to maintain and improve our city’s infrastructure won’t disappear. Voting “yes”on Measure P ensures that Chula Vista will continue to have the resources needed to address these challenges, without raising taxes.

What makes Measure P special is how local and focused it is. The funds it generates stay right here in Chula Vista — every dollar is invested back into our community, improving our roads, parks, and public safety. We’ve already seen these improvements firsthand, from the repaired streets that cut down on traffic jams in Eastlake to the new equipment keeping our firefighters and police officers well-equipped to protect neighborhoods from Rancho Del Rey to Southwest.

With oversight from taxpayer watchdogs and a citizen’s oversight committee, Measure P ensures transparency and accountability — we know exactly where the money is going, Sacramento can’t take any of it away, and it’s all spent responsibly to benefit all of Chula Vista.

Without Measure P, our city could face real challenges. We have over 450 miles of streets to maintain, and delaying repairs only makes those projects more expensive down the line. Roads in our older neighborhoods, like those near our revitalized Third Avenue downtown, need attention just as much as those in new developments. The city’s ability to keep up with these repairs, to protect public safety, and to ensure our infrastructure supports future growth all depends on Measure P.

But this measure is about more than just infrastructure — it’s about preserving the very essence of what makes Chula Vista a great place to live and raise a family. It’s about keeping our parks, like Bayside Park and Discovery Park, beautiful and accessible. It’s about ensuring that our first responders can reach you when you need them, wherever you need them — on both the east and west sides. It’s about continuing the progress that makes Chula Vista a community of opportunity and promise.

By voting “yes” on Measure P, we’re continuing the progress we’ve made while ensuring our city has the resources to meet future challenges head-on. This isn’t a new tax — it’s a continuation of a solution that has already delivered for our community. Let’s keep Chula Vista moving forward, safe and thriving for all our families. Vote “yes” on Measure P. 

John McCann is the mayor of Chula Vista and Jose Preciado is the councilmember for District 2.