June 7, 2022 - Measure J

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY TOWN ATTORNEY OF MEASURE J

SPECIAL TAX FOR PARAMEDIC SERVICES

MEASURE J

The San Anselmo Town Council placed this measure on the ballot. If it is approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the voters voting on the measure, the special tax for paramedic services administered by the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority ("RVPA"), will be extended and increased for four more years.

The existing RVPA tax for residential units will reach a maximum of $91.50 per unit at the time it expires on June 30, 2023. If the proposed measure is adopted, the RVPA tax for residential units will be imposed at a rate of $94.50 per residential unit in fiscal year 2023-2024. The proposed tax for non-residential parcels will be $94.50 per 1,500 square feet of structure on a parcel for fiscal year 2023-2024. Beginning in fiscal year 2024-2025, the Town Council may approve an annual increase to the tax of up to $3.00, for a maximum of $103.50 in fiscal year 2026-2027.

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 measure will raise approximately $560,000 annually beginning in fiscal year 2023-2024. As a special tax, the RVPA tax is restricted to use for paramedic services. If the measure is approved, the RVPA tax will terminate automatically on June 30, 2027, unless extended by a future measure.

A "yes" vote on the measure is a vote to approve the extension of the RVPA tax for four years and authorize an incremental increase of up to $3 per year.

A "no" vote on the measure is a vote against extension of the RVPA tax.

s/MEGAN HOLT ACEVEDO
San Anselmo Town Attorney

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE J

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 J 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 J 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 J continues strict fiscal accountability protections:

• Funds from Measure J 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 J will ensure that paramedics are at the ready when needed.

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

ALEXIS FINEMAN
Mayor, Town of San Anselmo

STEVE BURDO
Vice-Mayor, Town of San Anselmo

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE J

No argument against Measure J was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE J

EXHIBIT A
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 2023-2024 as follows:

1. Residential Uses: A tax of $94.50 per residential unit, as defined in section 10-3.1702 of the San Anselmo Municipal Code, on a parcel shall be imposed for fiscal year 2023-2024. Beginning with fiscal year 2024-2025, the Town Council may approve an annual increase to said amount not to exceed $3.00 annually to a maximum of $103.50 for fiscal year 2026-2027.
2. Non-Residential Uses: A tax of $94.50 per 1,500 square feet of structure on the parcel shall be imposed for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Beginning in fiscal year 2024-2025, the Town Council may approve an annual increase to said amount not to exceed $3.00 annually to a maximum of $103.50 for fiscal year 2026-2027.

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 50075.3. 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
Pursuant to California Government Code section 50075.1, 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, 2027, 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 June 7, 2022.

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the people of the Town of San Anselmo voting on the 7th day of June 2022 by the following vote:

s/ALEXIS FINEMAN
Mayor

ATTEST:

s/CARLA KACMAR
Town Clerk