4,515 / 61.2% Yes votes ...... 2,858 / 38.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

On August 4, 2003, after a public hearing, the Board of Commissioners of the South County Fire Protection Authority adopted a resolution to levy a special tax on property located in South County Fire Protection Authority Paramedic and Fire Fighting Services Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 (the "District") for ambulance and paramedic services and fire fighting equipment as well as for the costs of facilities maintenance, incidental expenditures incurred in connection with the creation of the District, levying and collecting the special tax, the completion and inspection of District facilities and the annual administration of the District.

Under this measure, the District would levy special taxes in an amount not to exceed $88 per dwelling unit and $0.11 per square foot for nonresidential uses per annum commencing July 1, 2004. The District Board would continue to set annually the exact amount of the tax with maximum rates set forth above. The special tax would continue to be levied for a period of seven years ending June 30, 2011, and would be collected by the San Mateo County Tax Collector at the same time as and along with the general ad valorem taxes. The special tax would be subject to the same penalties as the general ad valorem tax, and the special tax and penalty shall bear interest at the same rate as the rate for unpaid ad valorem property taxes until paid. However, the District may collect the special tax at a different time or in a different manner, as determined by the District, if necessary to meet its financial obligations. The following properties are exempt from the tax: public property acquired by the public entity prior to formation of the District, non-developable parcels, common area parcels within residential complexes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would allow a special tax to be levied on property within the boundaries of the South County Fire Protection Authority Paramedic and Fire Fighting Services Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 in an amount not to exceed $88 per dwelling unit and $0.11 per square foot for nonresidential uses per annum.

A "no" vote on this measure would not allow the special tax to be levied. This measure must be approved by two-thirds of the voters voting upon the measure.

Belmont and San Carlos voters have a lifesaving decision to make--maintain South County Fire's top quality fire, safety and emergency medical services. Measure I ensures that we will continue to receive the level of service and safety that we need and expect.

Our firefighters respond to over 4000 emergency calls per year -- including fires, automobile accidents, hazardous material spills, and life-threatening emergency situations. Nearly 70% of all calls are for emergency medical services. These first line emergency personnel often take great risks for our public safety. As our population age increases, our paramedic services are becoming even more important. These increasingly expensive services have put a strain on local budgets, posing a direct threat to vital public safety services in both our cities.

Measure I addresses this crisis in a prudent and limited way -- a modest parcel tax that lasts for only seven years and costs property owners less than 25 cents a day. Funds raised will be dedicated only to fire and paramedic services.

If this measure does not pass, the result will severely impact our ability to provide and maintain most needed emergency response, fire prevention and public education services in our community. Our fire authority will be forced to lay off 9 fire fighters, demote 3 captains and will close an entire fire company. As citizens and business people, we all have a stake in top quality fire, safety and emergency medical services in San Carlos and Belmont.

Your support of Measure I helps meet the rising costs of these services and preserves the level of service you have come to expect in our South County Fire District. For the safety of our communities, our businesses, and our neighborhoods, we urge you to please join us in voting YES on Measure I.

/s/ Edwin R. Hawkins August 15, 2003 President San Mateo County Firefighters, IAFF, Local 2400

/s/ Thomas J. Davids August 15, 2003 Mayor, City of San Carlos

/s/ George Metropulos August 15, 2003 Vice Mayor, City of Belmont

/s/ Laura Reed August 15, 2003 Director of Resident Services, Bonnie Brae Terrace

/s/ Donald M. Eaton August 15, 2003 Council Member, City of San Carlos