League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Marin County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure D Continuation of the Paramedic Services Special Tax Town of Fairfax 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 2855 / 74.50% Yes votes ...... 977 / 25.50% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure D

Since 1982, the voters in the Ross Valley have overwhelmingly approved a special tax to provide Fire Department paramedic service. To continue this high standard of emergency medical care for four more years, you must now re-approve this measure. The initial Ross Valley Paramedic Authority (RVPA) tax provides for a single ambulance. The demand for paramedic service from our citizens dictates that service levels continue to expand and evolve. In an effort to minimize the burden on our citizens, the RVPA has not raised the tax as previously scheduled. Each year over the past four years, the tax was scheduled to incrementally increase to a maximum of $48 per living unit and for each 1,500 square feet of non-residential developed space. However, we have been able to keep the tax at a rate of only $42 and meet our cost expectations while continuing to improve service levels with the addition of paramedic engine companies and furnishing all Ross Valley fire agencies with new defibrillation equipment. We again ask that you continue the tax at the $42 rate with the ability, if needed, to raise the tax incrementally each year by $3 to a rate not to exceed $51 (plus fifty cents County administrative fee) in the fourth year. Your tax pays for a significant portion of the paramedic program. Additional funds are collected from medical insurance companies through a program known as third party billing, and from billing of non-resident customers. In addition, your tax covers paramedic training, the cost of medical supplies and equipment, and the replacement of ambulance transport units when needed. Our goal is to continue to provide state of the art paramedic care in the Ross Valley. We need your vote to continue this vital service. Vote YES on Measure "D". s/FRANK EGGER Ross Valley Paramedic Authority Board Member s/MICHELLE PERRO, MD Down to Earth Pediatrics s/PAMELA MEIGS, RN Registered Nurse s/LARRY BRAGMAN Vice-Mayor + Town of Fairfax s/KATHRYN SEXTON M.D. Physician (No arguments against Measure D were submitted)