CITY OF LARKSPUR
MEASURE K
MEASURE K: Shall the measure continuing the special tax for paramedic
services for four years in the amount of $79.50 in the first
year and increasing $4 annually to a maximum of $91.50
per taxable living unit, or per 1,500 square feet of structure
on a developed parcel in nonresidential use, which will
annually raise approximately $600,000 beginning in year
one, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount
of said tax be adopted?
YES NO
CITY COUNSEL’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE K
The City Council of the City of Larkspur placed
Measure K on the November 6, 2018 ballot to ask voters to
extend the existing special parcel tax for paramedic services
(“tax” or “Paramedic Tax”) for an additional 4 years. The
tax funds services provided by the Ross Valley Paramedic
Authority (“Authority”) and will expire on June 30, 2019,
unless extended by the voters.
In 1983, the voters of Larkspur, along with the other
voters within the boundaries of the Authority, initially
approved the Paramedic Tax. Voters have approved
extensions and increases in the Paramedic Tax since that
time. The Paramedic Tax was last approved by voters in
2014. The current rate of the tax is $75 for each residential
living unit and for each 1,500 square feet of non-residential
developed space, plus a $0.50 Marin County administrative
fee.
Measure K would authorize continuing the Paramedic
Tax for another 4 years, until 2023, when it would again
have to be renewed by the voters. The Measure would set
the rate for the 2019-20 tax year at $79 for each taxable
living unit and for each 1,500 square feet of non-residential
developed space, plus the $0.50 County administrative fee.
It would authorize annual increases of $4, with a maximum
rate in the fourth year of $91.
As a special tax, the Paramedic Tax is restricted to
funding paramedic services, including but not limited to
emergency response, training, costs of medical supplies
and equipment, and replacement of ambulance transport
units.
If Measure K were approved, the Paramedic Tax would
terminate automatically after four years, unless extended
by a subsequent vote of the voters within the Ross Valley
Paramedic Authority.
A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve the extension of the Paramedic Tax for four years and authorize annual increases
of $4, with a maximum rate not to exceed $91 in the fourth
year, plus the $.50 County administrative fee. A “No” vote
is a vote against extension of the Paramedic Tax, which
will terminate automatically in June 2019 if not extended.
Measure K would be approved if it received a two-thirds
majority of “Yes” voters. A copy of the resolution approving
the tax is included in the Voter Information Guide.
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure
K. If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the City
Clerk’s office at (415) 927-5002 and a copy will be mailed
at no cost to you.
s/SKY WOODRUFF
City Attorney, City of Larkspur
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE K
No argument against Measure K was filed.
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE K
No argument against Measure K was filed.
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE K
RESOLUTION 50/18
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE CITY OF LARKSPUR PROPOSING AN INCREASE IN THE PARAMEDIC SERVICE TAX, ESTABLISHING A DATE FOR ELECTION, ADOPTING INTENDED BALLOT LANGUAGE, REQUESTING THE CONSOLIDATION OF SAID ELECTION, REQUESTING ELECTION SERVICES OF THE CLERK AND DIRECTING THAT REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS MAY BE RECEIVED
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2014, the electors of the City of Larkspur approved a special tax for the funding of paramedic services through the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority;
WHEREAS, the maximum allowable tax was established at $75.00 per residential unit plus a $.50 County administrative fee, and $75.00 per 1500 square feet of structure in non-residential use, plus a $.50 County administrative fee; and
WHEREAS, the Ross Valley Paramedic Tax has been annually levied and each four years the tax rate reset and approved by election and scheduled to expire June 30, 2019;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this City Council hereby calls for an election to be held on November 6, 2018, at which election the issue to be presented to the voters of the City of Larkspur shall be:
Shall the measure continuing the special tax for paramedic services for four years in the amount of $79.50 in the first year and increasing $4 annually to a maximum of $91.50 per taxable living unit, or per 1,500 square feet of structure on a developed parcel in nonresidential use, which will annually raise approximately $600,000 beginning in year one, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount of said tax be adopted?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this City Council hereby requests that said election shall be consolidated with the general election to be held on said date and requests the Registrar of Voters to provide all necessary election services and to canvas the result of said election.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that rebuttals shall be received to ballot arguments made by this City Council on behalf of said measure.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 20th day of June, 2018 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS CHU, HAROFF, MORRISON, WAY, HILLMER
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST
s/JAMIE KURYLLO
City Clerk
s/DAN HILLMER
Mayor