June 7, 2022 - Measure H

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY CITY ATTORNEY OF MEASURE H

CITY OF LARKSPUR

MEASURE H

The City Council of the City of Larkspur placed Measure H on the June 7, 2022 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, 2023, 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 2018. The current rate of the tax is $91 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 H would authorize continuing the Paramedic Tax for another 4 years, until 2027, when it would again have to be renewed by the voters. The Measure would set the rate for the 2023-24 tax year at $94.50 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 $3, with a maximum rate in the fourth year of $103.50.

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 H 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 $3, with a maximum rate not to exceed $103.50 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 2023 if not extended. Measure H 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 H. 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 IN FAVOR OF MEASURE H

For victims of heart attacks, strokes, accidents and other emergencies, rapid 9-1-1 paramedic response can be the difference between life and death. Voting YES on H will ensure paramedics are ready to respond quickly when you or a loved one needs help the most.

For 40 years, local paramedic services in the Ross Valley have been supported by a modest parcel tax that provides dedicated local funding to protect critical lifesaving paramedic services. When this funding was initially approved by local voters, it funded a single dedicated ambulance for the Ross Valley. As our community has grown and emergency medical services evolved, dedicated local paramedic funding now supports state-of-the-art fire department ambulance units with trained paramedics aboard fire engines so that advanced emergency care arrives as quickly as possible.

Local paramedic funding is now set to expire unless renewed by voters for four more years. Increases in the annual tax rate are capped at no more than $3.

Voting Yes on H will:

• Protect rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times
• Preserve the number of on-duty paramedics ready to respond to medical emergencies and accidents
• Ensure local paramedics are highly trained and equipped with advanced lifesaving equipment
• Preserve the existing high level of paramedic response services

Voting Yes on H continues strict fiscal accountability protections:

• Funds from Measure H may only be used for local paramedic services
• No funds can be taken away by the State, the County or other cities
• All funds are subject to annual audits
• Public disclosure of all spending is required

Nobody knows when a life-threatening accident or emergency will occur. Voting Yes on H will ensure that paramedics are at the ready when needed.

Join local firefighters, paramedics, elected leaders, business leaders and residents in voting Yes on H.

DANIEL HILLMER
Mayor, City of Larkspur

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE H

No argument against Measure H was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE H

CITY OF LARKSPUR
RESOLUTION 15/22

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LARKSPUR CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 7, 2022, AND REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF MARIN TO CONSOLIDATE SAID ELECTION; AND AUTHORIZING THE CLERK OR HER DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER(S) AND AGENCY TO CARRY OUT ALL THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR SAID ELECTION SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS THE QUESTION RELATING TO A SPECIAL TAX FOR PARAMEDIC SERVICES

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2018, 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 $91.00 per residential unit plus a $.50 County administrative fee, and $91.00 per 1500 square feet of structure in non-residential use, plus a $.50 County administrative fee;

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, 2023.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the City Council of the City of Larkspur hereby calls for an election to be held on June 7, 2022, at which election the issue to be presented to the voters of the City of Larkspur shall be:

To maintain rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times and preserve the number of on- duty paramedics ready to respond to accidents/ medical emergencies, shall the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority measure be adopted continuing for four years the paramedic services special tax of $94.50 per residential living unit or 1,500 square feet of developed nonresidential property, adjusted up to $3 per year, generating approximately $680,000 annually, subject to annual audits, public spending disclosure and all funds for local paramedic services?

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Larkspur 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 the City Council of the City of Larkspur on behalf of said measure.

IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the City Council of the City of Larkspur duly introduced and regularly adopted the foregoing resolution at a regular meeting held on March 2, 2022, by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCILMEMBER:
Candell,
Haroff,
Paulson,
Way,
and Mayor Hillmer

NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: None

ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: None

ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER: None

s/DAN IDLLMER
Mayor

ATTEST:

s/ALISON FOULIS
City Clerk