June 7, 2022 - Measure L

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL OF MEASURE L

SLEEPY HOLLOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SPECIAL PARCEL TAX MEASURE

MEASURE L

This measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Directors of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District.

The existing Sleepy Hollow 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 Sleepy Hollow 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 will be increased by $3.00 per year beginning on July 1, 2024. The Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District estimates revenue from this Measure will average approximately $85,995 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.

The appropriations limit for the District will be adjusted by the aggregate sum collected by levy of this special parcel tax.

s/BRIAN E. WASHINGTON
County Counsel

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE L

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 L 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 L 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 L continues strict fiscal accountability protections:

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

Join local firefighters, paramedics, elected leaders, and residents in voting YES on L.

RICHARD C. SHORTALL, JR.
Director, Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District

THOMAS J. FINN
Director, Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District

SHARON ADAMS
Director, Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE L

No argument against Measure L was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE L

SLEEPY HOLLOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

RESOLUTION NO. 2022-2
RESOLUTION OF THE SLEEPY HOLLOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 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 WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION CONDUCTED ON THAT DATE; AND REQUESTING ELECTION SERVICES OF THE COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2018, the electors of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District approved a special tax for the funding of paramedic services through the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority, which special tax is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the maximum allowable tax was established at $91.00 per residential unit plus a $0.50 County administrative fee, and $91.00 per 1,500 square feet of structure in non-residential use plus a $0.50 County administrative fee; and

WHEREAS, the special tax has been annually levied and each four years the tax rate reset and approved by election; and

WHEREAS, the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District desires to submit to the voters a measure authorizing the continuation of the special tax for the purpose of funding paramedic services provided by the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority; and

WHEREAS, the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District desires to hold an election to be consolidated with the statewide general election scheduled to be held on June 7, 2022;and

WHEREAS, at that election there shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District the following question:

"To maintain 9-1-1 response times and paramedics, shall the measure continuing the tax for paramedic services for four years in the amount of $94.50 in year one and increasing $3 annually to a maximum of $103.50 per taxable living unit, or per 1,500 square feet of structure in nonresidential use, generating approximately $85,995.00 in year one, subject to annual audits and disclosure, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount of the tax, be adopted?"

WHEREAS, rebuttal arguments shall be received in connection with the election on this proposition; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10002 of the Elections Code, the District Board of Directors may request the Board of Supervisors to permit the County Elections Department to render all elections services to the District relating to the conduct of the election on a reimbursable basis; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District as follows:

1. That the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District 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 District shall be:
   "To maintain 9-1-1 response times and paramedics, shall the measure continuing the tax for paramedic services for four years in the amount of $94.50 in year one and increasing $3 annually to a maximum of $103.50 per taxable living unit, or per 1,500 square feet of structure in nonresidential use, generating approximately $85,995.00 in year one, subject to annual audits and disclosure, and increasing the appropriations limit by the amount of the tax, be adopted?"
2. That the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin is hereby requested to consolidate said election with the general election to be conducted on the same day; and
3. That the Board of Directors of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District hereby acknowledges that the consolidated election will be held and conducted in the manner prescribed in Section 10418 of the California Elections Code; and
4. That rebuttals shall be received to ballot arguments made by the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District on behalf of said measure; and
5. That the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin is hereby requested to authorize the County Elections Department to render all elections services for the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District relating to the conduct of the election to be held on June 7, 2022; and
6. The District Secretary is hereby ordered and directed to file a copy of this Resolution with the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin.

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

AYES: Directors
RICHARD SHORTALL
THOMAS FINN
and
SHARON ADAMS

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

s/RICHARD C. SHORTALL, JR.
Director/President

ATTEST:

s/THOMAS J. FINN
Director/Secretary