TOWN OF FAIRFAX
MEASURE O
MEASURE O: 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 $296,000 beginning in year
one, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount
of said tax be adopted?
YES NO
TOWN ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE O
The Town Council of the Town of Fairfax voted to
place Measure O on the ballot. Measure O proposes to
continue and to increase an existing special tax that funds
paramedic services provided by the Ross Valley Paramedic
Authority for the Town of Fairfax. The measure authorizes
the paramedic services tax to remain in effect for four more
years, expiring on June 30, 2023. As a special tax, two-thirds
(2/3) of the voters voting on the tax must vote in its
favor for the paramedic services tax to be continued and
increased.
The existing paramedic services tax rate is seventy-five
dollars ($75) and expires on June 30, 2019. The proposed
measure establishes the rate for the paramedic services
tax for fiscal year 2019-20 in the amount of seventy-nine
dollars and fifty cents ($79.50) per taxable living unit on
a parcel and seventy-nine dollars and fifty cents ($79.50)
per 1,500 square feet of structure used for non-residential
purposes on a parcel. The proposed ordinance authorizes
an increase of four dollars ($4) annually, beginning with
fiscal year 2020-21, up to a maximum of ninety-one dollars
and fifty cents ($91.50).
A “YES” vote would be a vote to increase and extend
the paramedic services tax for four more years, subject to
the conditions stated above.
A “NO” vote would be a vote to not extend the
paramedic services tax.
s/JANET COLESON
Town Attorney, Town of Fairfax
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE O
Since 1982 the voters of the Ross Valley have
continued to approve a special tax to help fund the fire
department-based paramedic service. You are being asked
to again support the tax with modest annual $4 incremental
increases for four years to a maximum rate of $91.50. The
Ross Valley Paramedic Authority is a partnership of 8 Ross
Valley communities that have combined efforts to deliver
this exceptional level of care.
The initial Ross Valley Paramedic Authority tax
provided for a single ambulance. The expectation for
paramedic care from our citizens has dictated that service
levels continue to expand and evolve. Paramedic care is
now provided through a system that includes, state of the
art fire department paramedic ambulance units and with
trained paramedics aboard fire engines so that advanced
emergency care can arrive as quickly as possible.
The Ross Valley Paramedic Authority will continue the
responsible, transparent approach to managing the costs of
our emergency medical response service and adequately
provide for the long-term safety of our community.
A Yes Vote Will:
- Ensure the existing high level paramedic
emergency medical response services
- Continue local control over these tax revenues
- Maintain rapid emergency medical response
Your tax pays for a significant portion of the paramedic
program. Additional funds are collected from insurance
companies through third party billing and from billing
of non-resident customers. In addition, your tax covers
continuing paramedic training, the cost of supplies and
equipment and the replacement of ambulance units when
needed.
Our goal is to continue to provide state of the art
paramedic care in the Ross Valley. We need your vote to
continue this vital service. Vote YES on Measure O.
s/JOHN REED
Fairfax Town Councilmember
s/JENNIFER RIENKS
Marin Healthcare District Board Member
s/LARRY BRAGMAN
Marin Municipal Water District Board Member
s/PAMELA MEIGS, RN
Ross Valley Sanitary District Board Member
s/JODY TIMMS
Fairfax Representative to the Marin Commission on Aging
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE O
No argument against Measure O was filed.
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE O
RESOLUTION 18-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX
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 MARIN COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE, AND DIRECTING THAT REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS MAY BE RECEIVED
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2014, the electors of the Town of Fairfax approved a special tax for the funding of paramedic services through the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority; and
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 by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax that a special election is hereby called to be held on November 6, 2018, at which election the issue to be presented to the voters of said Town 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 $296,000 beginning in year one, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount of said tax be adopted?
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin is hereby requested to consolidate said election with any other applicable election conducted on the same date and to authorize the County Elections Office to provide all necessary election services and to canvass the results of said election.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that rebuttals shall be received to ballot arguments made by this Town Council on behalf of said measure.
The foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax, County of Marin, State of California, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 18th day of July 2018, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: ACKERMAN, COLER, GODDARD, LACQUES, REED
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
s/PETER LACQUES
Mayor
ATTEST:
s/MICHELE GARDNER
Town Clerk