League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Measure Z Fire and Police Service Tax County Fire Service Area 1 Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 762 / 70.2% Yes votes ...... 323 / 29.8% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Z

Community Service Area 1 (CSA 1) was established in 1957 to provide enhanced fire service for the San Mateo Highlands and other neighborhoods in the unincorporated area to the east of Polhemus Road. When the district was created, a share of the CSA 1 residents' property taxes was dedicated to paying for enhanced fire service which was provided by CalFire. In 1966, extra patrols by the County Sheriff were requested by the community and paid through the CSA 1 property tax allocation. Today, CSA 1 pays for a 24/7 fire engine located at the Tower Road station. CalFire staffs the engine with two firefighters and a paramedic. CSA 1 also pays for patrol service by a Deputy Sheriff, 7 days a week 18 hours a day. In 1982, CSA 1 residents voted to assess themselves up to $110 a year in additional property taxes to fully fund their enhanced police and fire services. Since 1982, the actual assessment has been $65 a parcel. The $65 tax has been consistently renewed by the voters every four or five years since 1982. The current parcel tax expires on June 30, 2012. Measure Z on the June ballot extends the $65 CSA 1 parcel tax another four years. To pass, the measure must be supported by 2/3 of the voters. For over fifty years, the CSA 1 residents have enjoyed exceptional fire and police services provided by CalFire and the County Sheriff. We encourage all CSA 1 residents to vote YES on Measure Z to continue to fully fund our enhanced police and fire protection another four years. /s/ Beverly Madden, 1st Vice-President, Highlands Community Association /s/ Rick Priola, President, Highlands Community Association /s/ Sylvia Merkadeau, Co-1st Vice President, Highlands Community Association (No arguments against Measure Z were submitted)

Full Text of Measure Z

Section 1. For the next four fiscal years, commencing with FY 2012-13 and concluding with FY 2015-16, an annual special tax is hereby imposed on property within the boundaries of County Service Area No. 1 as identified in Exhibit B and per the tax schedule in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to Section 50075.1(a) of the Government Code, the proceeds of the special tax shall be spent only on extended police and structural fire protection services in County Service Area No. 1 pursuant to Section 50075.1(b) of the Government Code, proceeds of the special tax shall be used for no other purpose. Pursuant to Section 50075.1(c) of the Government Code, the County shall create an account into which the proceeds of this tax shall be deposited. Pursuant to Sections 50075.1(d) and 50075.3 of the Government Code, the chief fiscal officers of the County shall file an annual report with the Board of Supervisors each year following imposition of the tax which report shall contain a description of the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any project required or authorized to be funded in this measure, if any. Section 2. Prior to levying a special tax in any fiscal year, the Board of Supervisors shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed tax. Notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing shall be published pursuant to Government Code 6061, published once in a newspaper of general circulation in County Service Area No. 1. Following said hearing, the Board shall adopt a resolution fixing the amount of tax to be raised and the rate for the parcel tax, up to the maximum of $65 per parcel. Any tax levied shall become a lien upon properties against which taxes are assessed and collectible as herein provided. Section 3. At the time of adoption of its annual budget, the Board shall determine the precise amount of the special tax, if any, to be imposed during the ensuing fiscal year. Section 4. The special tax herein shall be imposed commencing July 1, 2012, and shall be collected by the San Mateo County Tax Collector at the same time along with, and shall be subjected to the same penalties as general ad valorem property taxes collected by said Tax Collector. The tax and penalties shall bear interest at the same rate for unpaid ad valorem property taxes until paid. Section 5. The Board may from time to time adopt regulations necessary for the enforcement and administration of the special tax provided for herein. Such regulations shall be consistent with the purpose and intent of this resolution. Section 6. If any section of this resolution is held invalid or unenforceable by the final judgments of any court, then that section may be amended by the Board by a majority vote to conform with the judgments of such court, provided such amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of this resolution. Section 7. If any section, subsection, sentence, phrase, or clause of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution. Section 8. This resolution shall be submitted to the voters of County Service Area No. 1 at an election to be conducted on June 5, 2012, within said area and shall take effect immediately upon its confirmation by two-thirds (2/3rds) of the voters voting upon the ballot measure at said election.