Measure E: Special Tax to Maintain Services and Make Repairs

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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Placer County, CA

June 5, 2012 Election

Measure E
Special Tax to Maintain Services and Make Repairs
Placer Hills Fire Protection District
2/3 Approval Required

Fail: 2077 / 53.63% Yes votes ...... 1796 / 46.37% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Jul 12 3:13pm, 0.0% of Precincts Reporting

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall Placer Hills Fire Protection District be allowed to impose a Special Tax to maintain the current level of fire and life safety services and replace essential equipment, vehicles and facilities?

Impartial Analysis
The Placer Hills Fire Protection District (District) has determined that a new special tax is necessary because it has found that its current revenue sources can no longer provide and sustain the current level of emergency service or to maintain and/or replace vital equipment and vehicles. The District states that this is due to reduced property values and the corresponding reduction in property tax revenues.

If passed, the tax would be levied on improved parcels with an assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. The exact amount of this special tax would be variable based on the type and number of residences/commercial buildings on a parcel, as set forth in the District's Resolution 2012-01A. The tax also allows for annual price adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, or 3%, whichever is less.

Article XIII A of the California Constitution, passed by the electorate in 1978 as Proposition 13, requires approval by the electorate to levy special taxes. California Health & Safety Code section 13911 and Government Code sections 50075-50077.5 authorize a process to propose and submit a special tax to the voters. These provisions require accountability measures, including a requirement that the proceeds from the tax be placed into a special account and that a report be prepared annually that provides details on the amount of taxes collected in that year and showing that the taxes were used solely for the specific purposes for the tax.

This proposed special tax must be approved by two-thirds of those voting in the district.

A "Yes" vote is a vote to authorize a new special tax for the stated purposes.

A "No" vote is a vote against a new special tax.

This analysis is submitted by the Office of the County Counsel of Placer County, pursuant to the requirements of section 9313 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

Anthony J. La Bouff
County Counsel
By: Brian R. Wirtz
Deputy County Counsel

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Arguments For Measure E

The Placer Hills Fire Protection District has long enjoyed an excellent relationship with the citizens of our communities. The District's firefighters are dedicated to providing emergency services when you need them. Now, your Placer Hills Fire Protection District needs your help.
The Community has previously supported the fire district so that we could provide fire and paramedic services with a 6 minute average response time. However, the costs to maintain these services have continued to increase while the recent economic downturn has reduced the value of the property in the District. This reduction in values has substantially reduced the property taxes the Fire District receives annually. That is why your fire district is asking your approval of a special fee of $79 per home per year. We are committed to using the funds provided by Measure E for salaries and operations necessary to maintain the current staffing and services, and fund essential capital purchases. These monies cannot be diverted by the State and will always stay in the Community for our local fire protection.
The firefighters in your District make less than the average wage comparable with other fire districts. Trained personnel leave for higher wages in neighboring fire departments. Two vital full-time paramedic engineer positions cannot be filled due to lack of funds. Because your district does not have an ambulance stationed in the immediate area, our paramedics provide first responder emergency medical care which can mean the difference between life and death for you or your neighbor.
Please join your neighbors, firefighters, and the Placer Hills Board of Directors in voting YES on E. By approving measure E, you will ensure that highly qualified fire and medical personnel will be there to assist you when you need them most. Vote YES on E.
s/ Gregory Guyan, Director
s/ Peter R. Hills, Director
s/ Kelly Fulfer, Director
s/ Bret B. Tresidder, Director
s/ Fred Lofrano, Director

(No arguments against Measure E were submitted)

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Created: September 26, 2012 12:16 PDT
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