A “YES” vote is a vote to authorize the levy of the annual special tax in an amount not to exceed $52 per parcel, as provided in the Measure.
Lake Valley Fire Protection DistrictMeasure B - 2/3 Approval Required
Lake Valley Fire Protection District
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Shall a special tax measure be levied annually until ended by voters, for the purpose of funding the purchasing, maintaining, replacing or leasing of fire engines, vehicles, equipment and supplies, at an annual special tax rate of $52 per parcel per year with an estimated total annual revenue of $432,900, in order to continue providing adequate fire protection, suppression, emergency medical services, and requiring independent citizen oversight, be adopted?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
YES vote means
NO vote means
A “NO” vote is a vote against the levy of the special tax.
Impartial analysis / Proposal
El Dorado County Voter Information Guide
Measure B (the “Measure”), if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting thereon, would authorize the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (“District”) to levy a special tax at a rate not to exceed $52 per parcel per year. This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Directors of the District pursuant to District Resolution No. 2019-07, which was passed at an official meeting of the District on October 9, 2019.
If approved, the special tax authorized by this Measure will be used solely for the purpose of funding the purchasing, maintaining, replacing, or leasing of fire engines, vehicles, equipment, and supplies in order to continue providing adequate fire protection and suppression and emergency medical services and meet anticipated future demands for such services. The special tax would become effective July 1, 2020, and would remain in effect until modified or repealed by the voters. Each fiscal year, the District’s Fire Chief or designee will determine the amount to be levied for the next ensuing fiscal year, up to the maximum amount authorized by the Measure. The special tax authorized by this Measure is expected to generate revenue of approximately $432,900 per year.
The Measure provides that the Board shall establish an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to conduct an annual performance audit to ensure that special taxes have been expended only for the purposes specified in the Measure and as provided by law. State law requires the proceeds from the special tax be applied only to the identified purposes and that an annual report be made indicating the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any project required or authorized to be funded by the proceeds.
The special tax authorized by this Measure will be listed as a separate item on the county property tax bill for each affected parcel of land and will be collected in the same manner as the general property tax. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes, including the provisions for penalties and the procedures for sale of the property in case of delinquency, shall also apply to the special tax. The special tax shall not apply to parcels owned by a federal, state, or local governmental agency.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
Measure B supports the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (District) in funding the replacement of aging and outdated fire engines, vehicles, equipment, and supplies (collectively, “Equipment”). Since 1947, the District has provided fire protection, suppression, and emergency medical service throughout the Lake Valley community.
The District has not been able to replace and update its aging Equipment such as breathing air packs because it cannot increase funding without voter approval. Recently, District employees have forgone increases to wages and benefits in order to help balance the budget. Over the past several years, the District has cut programs and services. Despite these cost saving measures, the District has been unable to fund the replacement of aging and outdated Equipment. This inability to outfit the District firefighter’s with new Equipment impacts the safety and welfare of its residents and firefighters.
The District updated its 15-year expenditure plan for replacing this Equipment. Voting “YES” on Measure B enables the District to levy a special tax of $52 per parcel per year to fund this expenditure plan. This special tax cannot increase in future years without your voter approval. The replacement of this Equipment improves the District’s response capabilities.
Funding will not be used for salaries and staffing. Measure B funding will only be used to fund updated Equipment necessary to provide fire protection, suppression and emergency medical services.
The District Board of Directors will establish an “Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee” which shall conduct annual, independent audits to ensure Measure B revenues have been expended for authorized purposes.
The District needs a funding solution to provide new Equipment for fire protection, suppression, and emergency medical services. A “YES” vote on Measure B ensures the District and its firefighters have the updated Equipment to continue serving and protecting the Lake Valley community.
Tim Alameda, Fire Chief
Robert Bettencourt, Board of Directors, Chairman
— El Dorado County Voter Information Guide
Arguments AGAINST
NO ARGUMENTS AGAINST THIS MEASURE WERE SUBMITTED
— El Dorado County Voter Information Guide
Read the proposed legislation
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