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Measure G Emergency Medical Services Funding City of Albany City Ordinance Amendment - 2/3 vote 3420 / 67.1% Yes votes ...... 1678 / 32.9% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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| Results as of Nov 15 4:54pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (11/11) |
| Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
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Shall the Emergency Medical Services Program Ordinance be amended to provide for an increase in the tax rate not to exceed $57.53 per residential unit, with limited authority to adjust for inflation, and an adjustment to the appropriations limit, to read as is set forth in the Voter Pamphlet?
This measure, if approved by 2/3 of the voters, would authorize the emergency medical services tax to be increased to a rate not to exceed $57.53 per residential unit or equivalent residential unit. This measure also modifies the tax formula for commercial properties to one equivalent residential unit for every 1,200 square feet of developed area, rather than the current methodology of two equivalent residential units regardless of size of developed property.
This measure also permits the tax rate to be adjusted on an annual basis, not
to exceed 5%, upon the City Council making a finding that the All Urban
Consumers # San Francisco Bay Area index has increased.
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| Arguments For Measure G | Arguments Against Measure G | ||
| In 1997 Albany residents overwhelmingly approved maintaining the current
Emergency Medical Service Tax of $30.84 per year. Albany residents made a
statement by approving this tax measure by 92.7 percent, which was the highest
approval rating in the county. In 2000 Albany residents overwhelmingly
approved the upgrading of paramedic engine response to the same level of professional
care as the current paramedic transport ambulance. This upgrade
assured Advanced Life Support response to Albany residents virtually 100 percent
of the time.
Albany residents have always enjoyed the best EMS services in the county and arguably the best in the state of California. Measure G seeks approval from Albany residents to increase the current annual Emergency Medical Services tax by an amount up to $26.69 with an annual CPI increase not to exceed 5 percent for single-family households. Measure G also seeks to restructure the commercial and industrial assessment to reflect the fair use of the services. Presently, with the rising costs of maintaining emergency medical service, notably in labor costs, there is an increased demand in the EMS budget. Approval of this measure will continue to maintain the quality of emergency medical care to all Albany residents. A "YES" vote on Measure G may mean the difference between life and death. Prompt professional application of emergency medical procedures by Advanced Life Support paramedics and a quick response time is critical to saving lives and can greatly improve a patient's survival rate.
Historically, Albany voters have supported a strong Emergency Medical
Service Program. Passage of Measure G will continue the best paramedic service
in the county. PLEASE JOIN ALBANY RESIDENTS IN VOTING YES
ON MEASURE G NOVEMBER 5.
s/TONY CAINE, Albany resident s/WILLIAM McKENNA, Albany resident | EMS does not have to be funded with its own special tax. The money could
come from the City's general fund instead. EMS is put on the ballot because it
is a "mom and apple pie" issue that easily attracts votes. All these small issues
we have approved over the years now add up to a large chunk of taxes. And
property tax increases can filter down to renters too. The City could have developed
other revenue sources instead of taxing us.
For example, the Golden Gate Fields cardroom approved by voters was derailed in the courts by opponents. Our city council (which is dominated by cardroom opponents) could have placed a corrected version on the ballot for reapproval but instead chose to let the issue die. Over the years we have approved new property taxes to make up for this loss. It is unlikely that these three tax measures would now be on this ballot if we had cardroom income.
City Hall sees property taxes as a funding source of first resort instead of the
last resort it should be. The Council does not put taxpayers' pocketbooks ahead
of their own political agendas. We can send them a message that enough is
enough. The most effective way to do this is to vote down all three tax measures.
Yes, it might cause some austerity and discomfort at City Hall but it is the
best way to nudge them in a new direction. Otherwise, you can expect hefty
tax increases to repeatedly appear on future ballots.
We have the opportunity to continue to fund this vital service by voting "YES". The EMS tax approved in 1997 has not increased or kept pace with increased labor costs. Approval of this measure will provide funding for increased costs in the EMS budget. It also allows for an annual increases of 5% or less to maintain the quality of emergency medical care to all Albany residents. Opponents argue for cardroom funding. Resubmitting the cardroom issue would produce a long, divisive fight without a sure outcome; it would be fiscally irresponsible and harmful to our community to plan our paramedic services on an uncertain and contentious proposal. A dedicated EMS tax means secure funding for EMS so that it will always be there in time of need. Don't risk this valuable program. Don't risk Albany's outstanding standards for saving lives. Support Measure G and continue the best emergency medical services in the County. This is a critical service that can mean the difference between life and death.
PLEASE JOIN ALBANY RESIDENTS IN VOTING YES ON MEASURE G
NOVEMBER 5.
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