Fail: 1386 / 52.7% Yes votes ...... 1243 / 47.2% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The annual special tax would be at the rate of $50.00 per improved parcel of land, residential and non-residential, except that the special tax will not be imposed upon parcels of land developed with cemeteries, and seasonal or summer-use cabins located on Forest Service land pursuant to lease. This special tax is intended to replace the existing annual benefit assessment of $20.00 on improved parcels currently imposed to fund snow removal services. In the event that this special tax is not approved by the voters, the existing annual benefit assessment will continue to be imposed in the same manner and in the same amount as currently authorized.

If the special tax is approved by the voters, the special tax will be collected beginning in fiscal year 2006-2007. It will be listed as a separate item on the county property tax bill for each parcel of land, and will be collected in the same way as the general property tax. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes, including provisions for penalties and procedure for sale of the property in case of delinquency, shall also apply to the special tax.

This measure requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 or more of all voters voting on the measure in order to pass.

A "YES" vote is a vote in favor of the special tax provided in the measure.

A "NO" vote is a vote against the special tax provided in the measure.

s/ Louis B. Green, County Counsel

Measure S will add $30 per year as a special tax to help purchase snow removal equipment and replace aging graders and blowers. These funds will be used strictly for snow removal equipment and will specifically benefit the county portion of the south shore.

The original parcel fee of $20 was established in 1983, but, in the last 20 years, the cost of equipment has increased more than 200%. In addition to the amount each owner already pays, El Dorado County is putting more than $200 per improved parcel toward snow removal services.

While the county had a long-term equipment replacement plan, it is no longer possible to stretch the existing dollars. With the passage of Measure S, the county can continue this plan and better assure reliable snow removal services.

If we allow older equipment to fail, ambulance, fire and Sheriff's deputies may experience delayed response times when attempting to reach your home in an emergency: Getting to work and school becomes more of a challenge. And, public transportation is compromised.

Adding $30 for snow removal is a minimal cost with maximum benefit, providing increased safety and continuing a long-term program for equipment upgrades.

Every vote counts. This is a special tax that requires two-thirds voter approval.

Please vote yes on Measure S to help our community retain reliable snow removal services.

s/ David Kelly
Community Advocate

s/ Jeff Neves
Sheriff

s/ Sue Novasel
Meyers Community Member

s/ Michael B. Clark
TPRID Director

s/ Michael M. Chandler
Fire Chief, Retired

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado formed County Service area No. 3 pursuant to Title 3, Division 2, Part 2, Chapter 2.2 of the California Government Code; and

WHEREAS, on July 19, 1983, by Ordinance 3373, the Governing Board established a benefit assessment of twenty dollars ($20.00) per improved parcel in the unincorporated area of County Service Area No. 3 to acquire new additional snow removal equipment, for the period up to June 30, 1993; and

WHEREAS, on April 30, 1991, by Ordinance No 4158, the Governing Board found that it was in the public interest to repeal the provisions of Ordinance No. 3373 limiting the use of the benefit assessment to equipment acquisition only, and deleting the termination date of the benefit assessment of June 30, 1993, to instead allow for the continued imposition of the benefit assessment of $20.00 per improved parcel to be used for providing equipment and maintenance of equipment for snow removal purposes; and

WHEREAS, on August 9, 1993, by Resolution 249-93, the West Shore Snow Removal Zone of Benefit was formed with boundaries consistent with the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District, and the South Shore Snow Removal Zone of Benefit was thereby adjusted to exclude said West Shore Zone; and

WHEREAS, the cost of replacement snow removal equipment has escalated significantly while the benefit assessment has not been increased, limiting the ability of the South Shore Removal Zone of Benefit to maintain services at the current levels; and

WHEREAS, Government Code section 25210.6a expressly authorizes the Board of Supervisors to levy a special tax to fund services such as snow removal services; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors proposes to levy a special tax for the purpose of replacing the existing benefit assessment and to provide the additional funding necessary to continue the current enhanced service level.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors finds, determines, declares, and orders as follows:
1. That upon approval by the voters, as set forth in this Resolution, there shall be levied and assessed a special tax on each improved parcel of property, residential and non-residential, within the South Shore Snow Removal Zone of Benefit within County Service Area No. 3 in the sum of $50.00 per improved parcel commencing with the fiscal year 2006-2007 and continuing each fiscal year thereafter, except for those parcels outlined herein: A. Parcels of land developed with cemeteries shall be exempt. B. Seasonal or summer cabins located on Forest Service land pursuant to lease shall be exempt.
2. "Parcels of improved property," as used in this resolution shall mean any unit of real property held in separate ownership, which is capable of sale or transfer without further action under the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code section 66410, et seq.), and which is improved with a permanent structure.
3. The special tax imposed by this resolution shall appear as a separate item on the tax bill of each such taxable parcel and shall be collected at the same time and manner as county property taxes are collected as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and shall be subject to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided for such taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes shall be applicable to such tax.
4. Upon approval by the voters as set forth in this Resolution, the current annual benefit assessment imposed in the South Shore Snow Removal Zone of Benefit within County Service Area No. 3 in the sum of $20.00 per improved parcel would be replaced by this special tax. In the event this special tax is not approved by the voters, the current benefit assessment will continue to be imposed in the same manner and in the same amounts as currently authorized.