By Megan Hansen
The Marin Independent Journal
NOVATO, Calif. — Central Marin voters Tuesday backed six of eight separate tax measures continuing financial support for paramedic services, with the Sleepy Hollow and county Service Area No. 27 measures unable to reach the two-thirds threshold.
In Corte Madera, voters approved Measure I by 74 percent, with 26 percent voting against the measure. The ballot item, which needed a two-thirds vote, continues an annual fee of $75 per residence and per 1,000 square feet of floor area for nonresidential uses for the next four years through June 30, 2019.
In Fairfax, Measure K passed by 72 percent of the vote, with 28 percent dissenting. In Larkspur, Measure L received 67 percent approval and 33 percent voted against it. Nearby in Ross, voters approved Measure M by 76 percent, with 24 percent dissenting. In San Anselmo, voters approved Measure N by 69 percent, with 31 percent voting against it. In Kentfield, Measure Q passed by 72 percent, with 28 percent voting against it.
Meanwhile in Sleepy Hollow, Measure S received support from only 64 percent of voters, with 36 percent dissenting. Measure P, which applies to the county’s Service Area No. 27, received support from only 64 percent, with 36 percent voting against it.
The paramedic tax measures in Fairfax, Larkspur, Ross, San Anselmo, Sleepy Hollow, Kentfield and the county’s Service Area No. 27 are all the same. The measures asked voters to pay a fee of $57 in the first year, with a $6 increase each year thereafter to a maximum of $75 per residence and per 1,500 square feet of space for nonresidential uses for the next four years. Each measure had to earn a two-thirds vote.
Under these tax measures, each of the seven communities — which are part of the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority — will raise their current paramedic tax from $51.50 to $57 in the first year, followed by the $6 annual increase through 2019.
Frank Berto, president of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District, said he was surprised by Sleepy Hollow’s vote.
“It would be very unfortunate if it doesn’t pass because that would mean the paramedic authority would not have enough money to contribute to provide a paramedic transport service,” he said.
———
©2014 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)