Get Involved
Every signature, every voice, every action matters
We qualified for the November 2026 ballot. Now the real work starts: reaching every Belmont voter before Election Day. Your donation funds that outreach, and your voice as a neighbor carries more weight than any ad we could buy.
Let’s win in November
Help us reach every Belmont voter before the ballot arrives.
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Share why this matters to you. Talk to friends, family, and neighbors. Post on social media. Forward our website. Personal conversations are the most powerful way to build support.
Pre-Written Social Posts: Copy and customize these sample posts for your networks:
Option 1 (Short): "Belmont needs a modern community center. We're officially on the November ballot. Now it's time to vote yes. Join me: [link] #BuildBelmontTogether"
Option 2 (Factual): "Built in 1949 for 5,500 residents, now serving 27,000. Barrett Community Center needs replacement, not more repairs. We're on the ballot this November. Vote yes: [link]"
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Join Our Campaign Team
We need volunteers for signature gathering, event support, and community outreach. Whether you have an hour or can help regularly, there's a role for you.
Volunteer opportunities:
Talk with neighbors at community events
Go door-to-door sharing information about the measure
Host informational house parties before Election Day
Make phone calls to remind voters to vote yes
Email info@fbocc.org to get involved
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Support the Campaign
Running a successful ballot measure campaign requires resources. Your donation helps us reach every Belmont voter with information about why this matters.
What donations fund:
Direct voter outreach and canvassing
Community outreach and education
Campaign materials and yard signs
Digital advertising and communications
Campaign materials and yard signs
Digital advertising and communications
Paid for by Friends of the Belmont Community Center. Contributions are not tax-deductible.
FAQs
1. What will the new community center provide?
The proposed facility will expand opportunities for seniors, adults, families, youth, and other community members. The City of Belmont's community-center planning process envisions a facility that serves residents of all ages, provides safe and accessible spaces, and can provide relief and resources during emergencies.
2. Will the new community center be used during an emergency?
Yes. The proposed facility will also serve as a resiliency/emergency center during certain local emergencies and extreme conditions. This includes earthquakes, wildfires, excessive heat, poor air-quality events, flooding, power outages, and other local emergencies.
3. Why is the Barrett Community Center being replaced?
The existing Barrett Community Center is more than 75 years old and it requires extensive repairs and maintenance to meet modern earthquake, fire-safety, and accessibility standards. The proposed project will replace the existing facility at the current Barrett Community Center site.
4. What is Measure Y?
Measure Y is a City of Belmont special-tax measure concerning funding for a new community center at the existing Barrett Community Center site. The official San Mateo County Elections page identifies Measure Y as the City of Belmont Special Tax Measure and states that majority voter approval is required.
5. How much will the tax be?
The measure establishes a residential rate of $0.33 per square foot of home.
6. How much revenue will Measure Y generate?
The measure is estimated to generate approximately $7.1 million annually. Revenue will be placed into a dedicated special fund and used for purposes authorized by the measure.
7. Is there an exemption for homeowners age 65 and older?
Yes. A homeowner who is 65 or older and occupies the property as their primary residence may apply for an exemption. Only one homeowner needs to meet the age requirement. The exemption is not automatic; qualifying homeowners must apply annually through the City of Belmont. Documentation establishing primary residence, such as a utility bill or similar proof, may be required.
8. What can the Measure Y money be used for?
The dedicated funds will support authorized community-center purposes, including construction; maintenance and repair; capital improvements; staffing and operations; community-center programs and services; administration of the special tax; and other purposes specifically identified in the measure. The official Measure Y text is the controlling source for authorized uses.
9. Can the money be used for unrelated City expenses?
No. Measure Y is structured as a special tax, with its proceeds restricted to the purposes specified in the measure. Accordingly, the revenue is not simply unrestricted General Fund revenue available for unrelated City expenses. It may not be taken away by the State or County.
10. Is there financial oversight?
Yes. The measure provides for annual audits of the special-tax revenue and expenditures.
11. When will the tax begin?
The measure authorizes the tax beginning July 1, 2027.
12. How will the funding be used to build the new community center?
The language of Measure Y creates a dedicated funding source for the construction and operation of a new community center.
13. Will the measure support programs and extended hours?
The measure's funding structure includes programmatic support and staffing. This will provide staffing sufficient to support evening and weekend operations, as well as expanded opportunities for seniors, adults, families, youth, and other residents. Exact programs, staffing levels, schedules, and fees will depend on future City decisions and available resources within the measure's authorized purposes.
14. Will Measure Y provide ongoing funding for programs and operations?
Yes. Recognizing that building a community center without an ongoing revenue stream to fund operations and programs is a recipe for disaster, Measure Y is designed to provide ongoing funding for programs and operations.
15. Does the City have a community center plan?
The City's October 2025 update describes an ongoing planning and design process for the Barrett Community Center site. Community outreach has focused on creating a facility that serves people of all ages, is safe and accessible, meets current and future community needs, and can provide relief and resources during emergencies.
16. When will Belmont voters decide on Measure Y?
Measure Y is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The San Mateo County Elections Department lists Measure Y under City Measures as the City of Belmont Special Tax Measure.
17. What percentage of voters is required for Measure Y to pass?
The official San Mateo County Elections page states that a simple majority voter approval is required for Measure Y. In practical terms, 50% + 1 of votes cast on the measure is required for approval.
18. What polling has been conducted?
The City of Belmont reports that 2025 community polling showed support for a potential community-center parcel tax above a simple majority but below the two-thirds threshold discussed at that time. The approximately 60%–64% in support of the measure referenced in campaign materials are polling measurements from that period. Polling reflects opinions at the time the survey was conducted and does not determine the election result.
19. Where can voters read the actual Measure Y language?
The San Mateo County Elections website provides the official Measure Y materials, including the Resolution and Full Text, Impartial Analysis, Primary Argument in Favor, Rebuttal to Argument in Favor, Primary Argument Against, and Rebuttal to Argument Against.
20. Where can residents learn more about the community-center project?
The City of Belmont maintains its Community Center Conversation webpage with planning updates, presentations, community feedback, and information about the future of the Barrett Community Center site.
Official Sources
San Mateo County Elections — November 3, 2026 Election https://smcacre.gov/elections/november-3-2026-statewide-general-election
Measure Y — Resolution and Full Text https://smcacre.gov/archival-document?document=https%3A%2F%2Fsmcacre.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2F2026-08%2F52-ENG-M308-Contest%2520Code-Reso-Belmont%2520Special%2520Tax_Redacted.pdf&title=City+of+Belmont+Special+Tax+Measure
Measure Y — Impartial Analysis https://smcacre.gov/archival-document?document=https%3A%2F%2Fsmcacre.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2F2026-08%2F52-ENG-MY-ImpartialAnalysis-Belmont-Special-Tax.pdf&title=Measure+Y+-+Impartial+Analysis
City of Belmont — The Community Center Conversation https://www.belmont.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/projects/the-community-center-conversation
EVERY ACTION MOVES US FORWARD Vote YES on Y this November
Whether you request signature collection, volunteer to gather signatures, donate, or share—you're helping build Belmont's future. This is how grassroots campaigns succeed: one person at a time, one action at a time.