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Measure Y Appropriations Limit Menlo Park Fire Protection District Majority Approval Required
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Pass:
6,299 /
79.1% Yes votes ......
1,666 /
20.9% No votes
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Results as of Dec 21 8:37pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (61/61) 29.5% Voter Turnout (105,341/357,191) |
| Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | |||||
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Shall the appropriations limit applicable to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, which is currently set at $40,000,000 and set to expire on June 30, 2016, be reauthorized for four years at a level of $50,000,000 beginning on July 1, 2016?
If a jurisdiction receives more funds than allowed under its appropriations limit, it cannot spend the excess amount and must return it to the taxpayers. Because of this rule, jurisdictions that have revenues above their appropriations limit face the risk of having to decrease services. According to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District (the "District"), its base appropriations limit for fiscal year 2015-16 is approximately $28 million and its revenues subject to the appropriations limit are approximately $36 million. However, in November 2011, District voters approved an increased annual appropriations limit for the District of $40 million for a four-year period. The increased appropriations limit will expire in June 2016. By this measure, the Board of Directors of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District proposes to increase its appropriations limit to $50 million for the period commencing July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2020. The District has stated in a report to its Board of Directors that its appropriations in fiscal years 2010-11 through 2015-16 have been above its base appropriations limits but within the $40 million voter-increased limit. The District's Board of Directors states that this measure is necessary to continue the current level of services that protect people and property in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton, and unincorporated areas of the District. If an increased appropriations limit is not approved for four years, the District will be restricted from appropriating and spending certain of the revenues which it expects to receive. Passage of this measure will not increase taxes; it simply allows full use of those revenues the District receives. A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize the Menlo Park Fire Protection District to increase its appropriations (spending) limit to $50 million for a four year period commencing July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2020. A "no" vote on this measure would not allow the base appropriations limit for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District to be increased for four years resulting in a decrease to the funding which the District may spend. This measure passes if a majority of those voting on the measure vote "yes."
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| Arguments For Measure Y | Arguments Against Measure Y |
| This measure is essential 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 the appropriations limit to $50,000,000 allows the revenues that the District receives to be approved for spending.
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 revenues during fiscal year 1978. The limit is adjusted yearly for residential population change and 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, or fire protection. A YES vote will enable the district to spend its tax revenues over the next four years on the delivery of fire and emergency services within the District. If this measure fails to pass, the District's ability to maintain its current level of care and service will be significantly reduced while property taxes will remain the same and the difference will go to other taxing entities. This measure will not result in any additional taxes or costs to district residents. /s/ Virginia Kiraly, President, Board of Directors, Menlo Park Fire Protection District /s/ Robert Silano, Vice-President /s/ Rex Ianson, Board Member /s/ Peter Carpenter, Board Member /s/ Chuck Bernstein, Board Member
| (No arguments against were submitted)
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