A project by Laura Melahn, Candidate for Menlo Park District 4 City Council·Get Updates →
Acronym

VLF

Also known as: Vehicle License Fee backfill, MVLF

Vehicle License Fee — a state-collected fee on cars that the state distributes back to cities, with a 'backfill' provision when state fees fell.

Vehicle License Fee — a state-collected fee on cars that the state distributes back to cities, with a 'backfill' provision when state fees fell. The state's May 14, 2026 budget revision excluded the backfill. The City's FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget has already absorbed the loss, with VLF revenue budgeted at approximately $3.0M, down from approximately $7.7M in FY 2024-25 actuals. The structural concentration concern remains: VLF is one of several revenue lines whose terms are written at the state level, and the City has advocacy influence at the margins only.

In Menlo Park

FY2025 VLF actual: $7.7M. FY2027 projected: $3.0M (deficit driver).

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