League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Marin County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Measure D Annexation of Territory City of Sausalito Majority Approval Required Pass: 1618 / 62.04% Yes votes ...... 990 / 37.96% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure D

Arguments Against Measure D

A YES vote on Measure D maintains our present fire and emergency services while also saving the City money. A YES vote continues the exceptional level of fire protection we have enjoyed for the past seven years + including a Fire Department with 50 firefighters and paramedics staffing three fire stations positioned to respond to Sausalito emergencies. If Sausalito instead chose to re-establish its own Fire Department, there would be a maximum of only five firefighters on duty, requiring calls for aid from outside agencies operating under different command and control. A YES vote validates seven years of experience, critical analysis, good-faith negotiations, and thoughtful planning. This includes more than 20 public meetings, four community workshops, advice from independent consultants, and approvals from three governing boards: LAFCO, the Southern Marin Fire Protection District Board of Directors, and the Sausalito City Council + all concluding that annexation simply makes sense. By voting YES on D, Sausalito property tax allocations for fire protection will be reduced from 55% to 45%. Estimated overall savings in the City's 2012-13 budget will be $184,000. At the same time, Sausalito would own its new fire station, collect $100,000 a year rent from Southern Marin Fire and retain use of the community meeting room and Sausalito's Emergency Operations Center. Vehicles and equipment would be transferred to the District, freeing up $1.2 million in vehicle replacement funds to pay down other City costs. On the other hand, reverting to a stand-alone fire department would add $1.4 million to the City's budget, leading to either massive cuts in other services or a $400 parcel tax. After seven years of study, it's time to move our fire services forward. Please vote YES on Measure D for the best fire protection, maximum public safety, and significant financial savings. s/CAROL SINGER PELTZ Former Mayor s/LEON HUNTTING Former City Council Member s/ANN ARNOTT s/SUSAN FRANK s/JACKIE KUDLER Rebuttal to Arguments For Bad data cause bad decisions. The city relied on data from its lead consultant. The data was not verified but simply repeated in numerous meetings. The consultant's capabilities are now being questioned. He is accused of helping lead Stockton into bankruptcy. Google "Ex-official's hands stained with red ink" and you will question Sausalito's leaders' blind trust in his recommendations. Taxation without representation. The 45% property tax transfer is forever, no matter the dollar amount. SMFD can reduce services and levy new parcel taxes for service and pension benefits. We have no seat on the SMFD board. Comprising only 26% of SMFD's voters, residents lack clout to override actions unfavorable to Sausalito. The claimed $184,000 savings is misleading. It pales by comparison to the millions of dollars in unfunded pensions that remain Sausalito's obligation + the crux of both Sausalito's and Stockton's problems. Fire station rent statement is deceptive. SMFD will pay Sausalito only $100,000/year rent for OUR new fire station for 30 years. This is a pittance. We are paying an average of $660,000 for 28 years. Consultant's projections for an independent fire department are exaggerated. Our existing agreements ensure adequate staffing. The consultant's $1,400,000 projection assumes hiring three non-mandated onsite fire supervisors for $300,000/year each. They are not needed for medical emergenciesSausalito's principal need. National data indicates that over 90% of assistance calls are medical. VOTE NO on Measure D and demand a comprehensive analysis using reliable data! For more information, see http://www.sausalitofirevote.com s/BILL GILLIS Businessman s/IRV GUBMAN Attorney s/VELMA GAMBLE s/SUSAN SHEA Nurse Practitioner

We believe safety and security are extremely important. We support our firefighters who protect our property and lives. That is shown by the fact that our firefighters are the highest paid Sausalito employees and the only employees not required to contribute to their retirement plans. Our objection to the proposed annexation is not anti firefighter but pro Sausalito residents. Consolidations can be beneficial and cost-saving if structured properly; however, this is an "annexation" with the following unacceptable provisions: The proposed annexation is permanent, requiring the city to send 45% of property tax revenues to the Southern Marin Fire District (SMFD) forever, even if a lower cost alternative is later identified. Fire annexation gives SMFD a windfall and deprives Sausa lito residents of revenue critical to fund numerous other vital city services. Fire annexation eliminates Sausalito's right to manage its fire services. No other city in Marin has totally given up control of its fire services. Mill Valley has said no to SMFD twice. Sausalito residents (26% of SMFD) do not have adequate votes to block a new SMFD parcel tax or to ensure fair representation. Options exist between the far extremes of a complete and permanent takeover (annexation) of our emergency medical and fire services (and our tax dollars) versus a standalone fire department. There is time: Our current contract with SMFD requires a one-year notice to terminate it. That one-year clock has not started running. Vallejo went bankrupt and Stockton is close behind because they did not properly plan for their future. We must not follow their lead. Vote NO on fire annexation. Direct the City Council to conduct an independent analysis that considers all available options to meet our emergency medical and fire needs. For more information, see http://www.sausalitofirevote.com. s/JOHN FLAVIN s/LINDA PFEIFER Sausalito City Council s/CAROLYN FORD Sausalito City Council s/CHUCK DONALD Former Planning Commissioner s/JOAN COX Sausalito Planning Commission Rebuttal to Arguments Against It is irresponsible for opponents of Measure D to suggest bankruptcy for Sausalito. If anything, the opponents' would bring us closer to the brink. Their suggestion to reestablish our own Fire Department would add $1.4 million to the City's annual budget, leading to either massive cuts in other services or a $400 parcel tax. For seven years we have had exceptional fire protection provided jointly by Sausalito and Southern Marin Fire Protection District (SMFPD). A YES vote on Measure D maintains these services while also saving the City money + $184,000 in the first year alone. By voting YES on Measure D, you increase Sausalito's participation in Fire District affairs. Management and staff remain unchanged, but with Measure D Sausalito could conceivably have a majority on the at-large elected board. A YES vote creates the most stable long-term fire and emergency services solution. However, it is not permanent + there are established LAFCO procedures for dissolution in the unlikely event this is desired. Measure D will do nothing to increase firefighters' salaries, which are already less than city administrators and police. In fact, if Measure D passes, the firefighters have agreed to contribute more towards their pension costs. "Double-dipping" into two pensions will not be possible. A YES vote validates seven years of local experience, good-faith negotiations, thoughtful planning and community meetings. Independent studies have been done and have been available throughout the entire process for public review. Vote YES on Measure D for the best fire protection, maximum public safety, and significant financial savings. See http://www.YesonDforFireSafety.com. s/RON ALBERT Former Mayor s/PETER VAN METER Former City Council Member s/VICKI NICHOLS Historic Landmarks Board s/RAY WITHY Housing Element Task Force s/CHERYL POPP Past President Chamber of Commerce

Full Text of Measure D

MARIN LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-08 RESOLUTION MAKING DETERMINATIONS AND APPROVING ANNEXATION TO SOUTHERN MARIN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT INCLUDING NOTICE, HEARING AND ELECTION "Annexation of the City of Sausalito to Southern Marin Fire Protection District (File 1304)" WHEREAS, a proposal for the annexation of certain territory to Southern Marin Fire Protection District in the County of Marin has been filed with the Executive Officer of this Local Agency Formation Commission pursuant to Title 5, Division 3, commencing with Section 56000 of the Government Code; and WHEREAS, said proposal was made in the form of a resolution of application adopted by the City Council of the City of Sausalito; and WHEREAS, at the time and in the form and manner prescribed by law, the Executive Officer has given notice of public hearing by this Commission upon said proposal; and WHEREAS, the public hearing on said proposal was held by this Commission upon the date and at the time and place specified in said notice of public hearing, and all interested persons present were afforded an opportunity to speak and be heard on this matter. WHEREAS, the Executive Officer has reviewed the proposal and prepared a report, including a recommendation thereon, the proposal and report having been presented to and considered by this Commission. NOW THEREFORE, the Marin Local Agency Formation DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER as follows: Section 1. The boundaries, as set forth in the proposal are coterminous with the incorporated territory of the City of Sausalito and are hereby approved as submitted subject to the following conditions: a. That the Southern Marin Fire Protection District adopt and implement a memorandum of understanding between the District and Southern Marin Professional Fire Fighters, Sausalito Group, IAFF Local 1775; and b. The effective date of annexation shall be the earliest possible date following completion of all other annexation proceedings. Section 2. The territory includes an area of approximately 2.2 square miles, is found to be inhabited, and is assigned the following distinctive short form designation: "Annexation of the City of Sausalito to Southern Marin Fire Protection District (File 1304)". Section 3. The proposal is consistent with the adopted sphere of influence for Southern Marin Fire Protection District. Section 4. The Executive Officer is hereby authorized to complete reorganization proceedings in the manner prescribed by Section 57000 of the Government Code. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission on this 10th day of November 2011 by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Asbo, Arnold, Adams, Blanchfield, Heller, Rodoni, Slavitz. NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Sears. s/JEFFRY BLANCHFIELD Chairperson ATTEST: s/PETER V. BANNING Executive Officer