TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO
MEASURE Q
MEASURE Q: 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 $472,000
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 Q
Special Tax for Paramedic Services
If this measure is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote,
the special tax for paramedic services administered by
the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (“RVPA”), will be
continued for four more years. The Town Council of the
Town of San Anselmo placed this measure on the ballot at
its meeting of June 26, 2018.
The proposed RVPA tax for residential units will be $79.50
per taxable living unit in the first year and will increase
thereafter by $4.00 per year with a maximum of $91.50
per taxable living unit. The tax for non-residential parcels
will be $79.50 per 1,500 square feet of structure for each
developed parcel in the first year, increasing thereafter by
$4.00 per year. The tax will annually raise approximately
$472,000 beginning in 2019. As a special tax, the RVPA
tax is restricted to use for paramedic services.
This measure seeks to extend the RVPA tax that was first
approved in 1983 and has been extended and increased
every four years since that time. If approved, the RVPA tax
will terminate automatically in 4 years, unless extended by a
future measure. Each year the San Anselmo Town Council,
along with the other seven member RVPA agencies, will
confirm the amount of the tax for the subsequent year.
A “yes” vote on the measure is a vote to approve the
extension of the RVPA tax for 4 years and authorize an
incremental increase of $4 per year for a rate not to exceed
$91.50 in the fourth year. A “no” vote on the measure is a
vote against extension of the RVPA tax.
If the voters do not approve the measure, the current tax
will expire on June 30, 2019.
s/MEGAN HOLT ACEVEDO
San Anselmo Town Attorney
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Q
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 Q.
s/JOHN D. WRIGHT
Mayor, Town of San Anselmo
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE Q
No argument against Measure Q was filed.
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE Q
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUATION OF A SPECIAL TAX FOR
PARAMEDIC SERVICES
THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO DO HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
A. Purpose and Imposition of Tax
Pursuant to Government Code section 37100.5, a special tax for the purpose of paramedic services (“paramedic tax”) shall be imposed on all developed parcels of real property within the Town of San Anselmo for each fiscal year, commencing with fiscal year 2019-2020 as follows:
- Residential Uses: A tax of $79.50 per residential unit, as defined in section 10-3.1701 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code, on a parcel shall be imposed for fiscal year 2019-2020. Beginning with fiscal year 2020-2021, the Town Council may approve an annual increase to said amount not to exceed $4.00 annually to a maximum of $91.50 for fiscal year 2022-2023.
- Non-Residential Uses: A tax of $79.50 per 1,500 square feet of structure on the parcel shall be imposed for the fiscal year 2019-2020. Beginning in fiscal year 2020-2021, the Town Council may approve an annual increase to said amount not to exceed $4.00 annually to a maximum of $91.50 for fiscal year 2022-2023.
The records of the Marin County Assessor as of March 1st of each year shall determine the use and improvement of each parcel for calculation of the special tax applicable to that parcel in the following fiscal year.
For purposes of this resolution, the term “parcel” shall mean a parcel of real property having a separate assessor’s parcel number as shown on the last equalized assessment roll for the County of Marin.
B. Annual Report and Approval of Tax Levy
The Town Council shall receive an annual report regarding the paramedic tax pursuant to California Government Code section 50075.1. In addition, the Town Council shall annually approve a resolution establishing the amount of the special tax levy, in an amount that does not exceed the maximum amount specified in this resolution. The special tax shall not be measured by value of the property.
C. Special Account
The proceeds of the special tax imposed by this resolution shall be placed in a special fund to be used solely for the purpose of providing paramedic services.
D. Collection
The special paramedic tax imposed by this resolution shall be collected in the same manner, on the same dates, and shall be subject to the same penalties and interest as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the County of Marin on behalf of the Town of San Anselmo. Said special tax, together with all penalties and interest thereon, shall constitute a lien upon the parcel upon which it is levied until it has been paid, and said special tax, together with all penalties and interest thereon, shall, until paid, constitute a personal obligation to the Town of San Anselmo by the persons who own the parcel on the date the tax is due.
E. Amendment
The Town Council shall be empowered to amend this resolution by three affirmative votes of its members to carry out the general purposes of this resolution, to conform the provisions of this resolution to applicable state law, to modify the methods of collection, or to assign the duties of public officials under this resolution
In no event shall the Town Council amend this resolution to increase the maximum amount of the special tax established in section A of this resolution, unless approved by two-thirds of the voters voting thereon.
F. Exemptions
The special paramedic tax shall not be imposed upon any parcel that is exempt from the special tax pursuant to any provision of the Constitution or any paramount law. The Town Council by resolution may adopt exemptions to the special tax imposed by this resolution.
G. Termination of Provisions.
This resolution shall be null and void as of twelve o’clock midnight, June 30, 2023, and shall have no force and effect whatsoever after said time and date. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, Section D relating to the collection and enforcement of liens or obligations for the special tax previously levied hereunder, shall continue in effect until such time as the collection and enforcement procedures have been completed.
H. Accountability Measures.
The Town Finance & Administrative Services Director shall annually file a special tax accountability report with the Town Council. The annual report shall contain both of the following: (a) the amount of funds collected and expended for the paramedic tax and (b) the status of any project required or authorized to be funded by such special tax, as required by California Government Code Section 50075.3, as such law is amended from time to time.
SECTION 2.
The Appropriations Limit of the Town of San Anselmo established under California Constitution Article XIIIB, section 6, shall be increased by the proceeds received from the special tax imposed by this resolution.
SECTION 3.
If any section, subsection, sentence, phrase or clause of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution.
SECTION 4.
This resolution shall be adopted and become effective only if approved by 2/3rds of the voters voting thereon, at an election to be held on November 6, 2018.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the people of the Town of San Anselmo voting on the 6th day of November, 2018 by the following vote:
By:
s/ JOHN WRIGHT
Mayor
ATTEST:
s/CARLA KACMAR
Town Clerk