LWV League of Women Voters of California
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Marin County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
Measure D
Paramedic Special Tax
Town of Fairfax

2192 / 73.0% Yes votes ...... 809 / 27.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 21 1:20pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (7/7)
65.3% Voter Turnout (3209/4912)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall there be a four year special tax commencing 2003-2004, for paramedic services in an amount not to exceed thirty dollars ($30.00) per year per living unit and per 1,500 square feet of structure on each developed parcel in non-residential use, to be levied in addition to transport fees charged to insurance providers without pursuing collection from uninsured persons, with the appropriations limit increased by the amount of said tax for the next four years?

Impartial Analysis
If this measure is approved by a 2/3 vote, the special tax for paramedic services administered by a Joint Powers Authority originally authorized by the voters on June 7, 1983, and reconfirmed by the voters on November 6, 1998, will be continued with a maximum annual levy of $30 on each living unit and $30.00 per 1,500 square feet of structure on each developed parcel in non-residential use. By approval of this Measure the appropriations limit established for the Town of Fairfax pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution will be increased in an amount equal to the proceeds of the special tax. The special tax and corresponding increase in appropriations limit will expire on June 30, 2007.

Dated: August 19, 2002

JOSEPH BRECHER
Town Attorney

  
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Arguments For Measure D
In 1983, voters from Fairfax to Corte Madera overwhelmingly approved entering into a Joint Powers Agreement and a special tax to initiate paramedic service. To continue this high standard of emergency medical care for four more years Fairfax must now re- approve this measure. The Ross Valley Paramedic Authority owns the advanced life support ambulance, Rescue 40, and contracts with the County of Marin to provide paramedics and run the system. The paramedics are headquartered at the Ross Fire House. Back-up paramedic units come from Marin County Fire/ Medics, Rescue 96, in Woodacre and Corte Madera Fire/Medics, Rescue 41, in Corte Madera.

Paramedics respond to medical emergencies in the specially equipped Advanced Life Support ambulance. They are in direct radio contact with Emergency Room personnel, administer drugs, injections and intravenous fluids, defibrillate cardiac arrest cases, re-establish breathing, and utilize many other advanced emergency medical procedures.

The current ceiling of $30.00 per residential and commercial units would remain through June 30, 2007. A transport billing charge has been in effect since approval by voters in 1998, and the charge is billed to insurance providers, i.e. Medical, Medicare, and private insurance companies. This year's actual tax is $29.50 plus a $0.50 tax collection fee charged to Fairfax by the County. There are no additional paramedic service charges for residents, guests in residents' homes or shoppers and employees of commercial establishments.

The physicians signing the argument in favor are Fairfax residents.

We need your YES vote on MEASURE "D" to continue this vital service.

s/ Kathryn Sexton, M.D., Physician

s/ Lew Tremaine, Fairfax Mayor

s/ Chris Weld, P.A., Physician's Assistant

s/ E. Regina Widman, M.D., Physician

s/ Frank Egger, Fairfax Town Councilmember; President, Ross Valley Paramedic Authority

(No arguments against Measure D were submitted)

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Created: December 6, 2002 03:14 PST
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