This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sm/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
San Mateo County, CA November 6, 2007 Election
Measure G
Appropriations Limit
Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 4,594 / 73.6% Yes votes ...... 1,646 / 26.4% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 19 5:40pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (66/66)
24.4% Voter Turnout (75,394/309,513)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the appropriations limit applicable to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, currently set at $25,000,000 pursuant to Measure O approved by the electors of the district on November 7, 2006, increase to $40,000,000 for a period of four years from the date of the election?

Impartial Analysis
The State Constitution restricts the spending of tax revenues by local governments above an annually adjusted limit. This limit is known as an appropriations limit. The Constitution allows the voters to increase a local government's appropriations limit for a period not to exceed four years.

The appropriations limit for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District is currently set at $25,000,000. By this measure, the Board of Directors of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District proposes to increase the appropriations limit to $40,000,000, for the period commencing November 6, 2007 and ending November 5, 2011. The Board of Directors anticipates that revenues will exceed the current appropriations limit in each of these fiscal years. If the current appropriations limit is not raised, the District will be precluded from appropriating and spending revenues which it expects to receive and therefore it does not believe that it will be able to maintain adequate funding for its operations and activities. This measure will not result in increased taxes; it simply allows full use of those revenues which have already been approved.

A "yes" vote on this measure would allow the appropriations (spending) limit for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District to increase to $40,000,000 for the period commencing November 6, 2007 and ending November 5, 2011.

A "no" vote on this measure would not allow the appropriations limit to be increased.

This measure passes if a majority of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

 
This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure G Arguments Against Measure G
This measure is necessary to ensure the superior delivery of fire and emergency services that protect the people and property in Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto and unincorporated areas of the County. It will NOT increase taxes. The change in appropriations limit to $40,000,000 allows the District to fully use revenues that have already been approved.

An amendment to the State Constitution in 1979 imposes an appropriations limit on tax revenues of most government agencies including Fire Districts. The District's original limit was based on the revenues during FY 1978. The limit is adjusted yearly for inflation, the adjustment formula does not account for increase and size of buildings or for increased demand for services, such as prevention, public education, CERT training, emergency and disaster preparedness and fire protection.

To increase the appropriations limit to $40,000,000 it's necessary that District voters approve the increase in the limit. A "YES" vote will enable the District to spend tax revenues over the next four years on the delivery of fire and emergency services within the District. If this limit is not increased, the District will not have the ability to control the use of all its tax dollars and may limit the District's ability to maintain its current level of care and service.

THIS MEASURE WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY ADDITIONAL TAXES OR COSTS TO DISTRICT RESIDENTS.

/s/ Ollie Brown August 8, 2007 President, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District

/s/ Bart Spencer August 8, 2007 Vice President, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District

/s/ Peter Carpenter August 8, 2007 Member, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District

/s/ Rex Ianson August 8, 2007 Member, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District

/s/ John Osmer August 8, 2007 Member, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE G SUBMITTED


San Mateo Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: December 19, 2007 17:40 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.