Measure E is a local parcel tax approved by PVE voters in 2018 with nearly 69% support. It provides approximately $5.1 million each year—about one-fifth of the City’s annual budget—to help fund our Palos Verdes Estates Police Department.

These funds have been critical to maintaining police staffing, 911 response, and day-to-day operations, but Measure E did not include an annual cost-of-living adjustment, which has limited revenue growth while city costs have continued to rise.

Measure E is set to expire in 2027, which means this vital source of public safety funding will end unless voters approve a replacement measure before then.

No. Under the proposed Measure E replacement, all funds are legally restricted to public safety uses. As stated in the City Attorney’s official ballot summary, parcel-tax revenues “may be used for either (i) law enforcement services provided by the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department or (ii) fire/emergency medical services in the City.”
Eligible uses include police salaries and benefits, fire/emergency response personnel, technology, safety and equipment costs, facilities operation and maintenance, payments to the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District or other fire/emergency medical service provider, and administrative costs related to these services.

Funds cannot be used for general City Hall renovations or unrelated City projects.

PVE is facing a growing budget shortfall due to rising costs, inflation, and the expiration of the exiting funding measure (Measure E). If no action is taken, the City projects a $10–12 million annual deficit, putting essential public safety and maintenance at risk of cuts. To read more about the City budget, please visit their website at: https://www.pvestates.org/government/city-manager/community-town-halls.

Measure E is set to expire in 2027, and if Measure E is not renewed and updated for our current needs, the City would have to consider significant cuts to services that would impact every resident in PVE.   

The recent wildfires remind us that Palos Verdes Estates has terrain very similar to Pacific Palisades, including 28% of city land being open space. Renewing and increasing Measure E would provide our city with sufficient funding to protect our local police department, firefighters and life-saving equipment as well as funding to provide weed abatement and reduce other fire hazards.

PVE Residents for a Safe, Secure Future is a grassroots coalition of neighbors committed to protecting our community. Our goal is to bring residents together and submit a citizens’ initiative to renew and Increase Measure E to cover all public safety services (both police and fire) before it expires, to ensure Palos Verdes Estates continues to be a safe and secure place to live.

The benefit to our community would be locally controlled funding that could only be used to:  

- Retain our independent police department and fund fire protection services

- Reduce wildfire risk through proactive brush and weed abatement

- Preserve fast, reliable 911 emergency response and disaster preparedness

- Maintain our city’s financial stability

- Help prevent thefts, home burglaries and maintain public safety

A: The proposed Measure E renewal would continue local funding for public safety at a rate of $990 per parcel plus $0.67 per square foot of building area. This structure would generate approximately $16.25 million per year to sustain Palos Verdes Estates Police Department services and ensure continued coverage from Los Angeles County Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

This renewed measure provides a stable, locally controlled funding source—the solution to maintaining 24/7 local police, fire, and paramedic protection without relying on outside agencies or losing local control over emergency response.

The citizen’s imitative would be structured so that the renewal measure would include:

- Public disclosure of all spending

- Independent annual audits

- Oversight from a local citizens committee

- Local control of all funds—none can be taken by the State or County

No. While it is a common question, past studies have shown that contracting with the LASD does not offer long term savings. In fact, currently, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is re-establishing their own in house Transit Police Department due to the ever increasing LASD/LAPD contract costs and lack of control over preventive patrols and deployment.

Contracting with LASD in PVE would no doubt result in a loss of local control, decreased community presence, and increased response times. Maintaining our own Police Department has consistently been a priority for PVE residents.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is currently experiencing a major staffing shortage. As of March 2025, the department reported 1,463 unfilled deputy positions. When combined with deputies on medical, family, or military leave, about 23% of deputy positions are unavailable (ABC7 report).

Given these realities, the Sheriff does not have the capacity to take on new full-service contracts. That means Palos Verdes Estates must maintain our own Police Department if we want dedicated, reliable law enforcement protection.

By law, cities and public agencies are prohibited from using public resources to campaign for or against ballot measures. While the City can provide factual, impartial information about what the measure would do and what services it affects, it cannot advocate for your vote.

That’s why PVE Residents for a Safe, Secure Future stepped up. We are residents and your neighbors who care about protecting local services.

We are currently gathering signatures from registered voters who are residents of PVE to place the citizen’s initiative on the June 2026 ballot—giving voters a chance to act before Measure E expires in 2027.

To learn more, ask questions, or volunteer, contact us at pvefuture.com.