June 7, 2022 - Measure K

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL OF MEASURE K

KENTFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SPECIAL PARCEL TAX MEASURE

MEASURE K

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Directors of the Kentfield Fire Protection District.

The existing Kentfield Fire Protection District parcel tax for funding of paramedic services through the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority is set to expire on June 30, 2023. If this Measure is approved by two-thirds of the votes cast on this special tax proposal, the existing Kentfield Fire Protection District parcel tax will be continued for a period of four years beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2027. Beginning on July 1, 2023, the rate of the special tax shall be $94.50 per residential living unit or $94.50 per 1,500 square feet of developed nonresidential property. The parcel tax may be increased by up to $3.00 per year beginning on July 1, 2024. The Kentfield Fire Protection District estimates revenue from this Measure will average approximately $265,500 annually.

The stated purposes for the funds raised by this special tax are to maintain emergency response times and preserve the number of on-duty paramedics available to respond to emergencies.

s/BRIAN E. WASHINGTON
County Counsel

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE K

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 K will ensure paramedics are ready to respond quickly when you or a loved one needs help.

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 K 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 K continues strict fiscal accountability protections:

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

Join local firefighters, paramedics, elected leaders, business leaders and residents in voting YES on Measure K.

BARRY EVERGETTIS
Vice Chairman, Kentfield Fire District

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE K

No argument against Measure K was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE K

RESOLUTION NO. 5-2022
A RESOLUTION OF THE KENTFIELD FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN ITS JURISDICTION ON JUNE 7, 2022, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS A MEASURE AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUATION OF A SPECIAL TAX FOR PARAMEDIC SERVICES; REQUESTING THE MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO CONSOLIDATE SAID ELECTION WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION CONDUCTED ON THAT DATE.

WHEREAS, a statewide primary election will be held on June 7, 2022 (the "General Election")

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2018, the electors of the Kentfield Fire District 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 $91.00 per residential unit plus a $.50 County administrative fee, and $91.00 per 1500 square feet of structure in nonresidential 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, 2023;and

WHEREAS, revenue from the special tax will be used exclusively to fund paramedic services through the RVPA; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLV ED that this Board of Directors 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 Kentfield Fire District 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 $265,500 annually, subject to annual audits, public spending disclosure and all funds for local paramedic services?

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board of Directors 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 Board of Directors on behalf of said measure.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors held this 9th day of March 2022 by the following vote:

AYES:
Corbet,
Evergettis,
Gerbsman,
Murray,
Naso

NOES: 0

ABSENT: 0

s/RONALD NASO
Chairman, Board of Directors

ATTEST:

s/BRUCE CORBET
Secretary, Board of Directors