This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sn/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
Measure U
Special Tax
Gold Ridge Fire Protection District

2/3 Approval Required

5,489 / 65.7% Yes votes ...... 2,864 / 34.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 19 4:09pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (28/28)
Information shown below: Arguments |

Shall Ordinance No. 04-05-1-R of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District (i) authorizing it to impose and levy a new special tax having a maximum rate of $40.00 per first dwelling and $20 per additional dwelling for residential property and $80 per first business and $40 per additional business for commercial property to assist in meeting costs of providing services and exercising other rights and powers, and (ii) increasing appropriations limit to permit spending tax revenues be approved?

 
Suggest a link related to Measure U
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure U
Please vote yes on Measure U. The Gold Ridge Fire Protection District needs your support. Because of revenue shifts and shortages experienced by all special districts, we are unable to fund two vital, policy-driven programs, apparatus replacement and hiring two full-time fire apparatus engineers.

The apparatus replacement program has been unfunded for eight years with several of the fire engines nearing or beyond their twenty year life, which is an industry standard. The current special tax ($20) which was passed in 1987 and generates $113,000 annually, is no longer adequate due to inflation, no annual adjustments, and the rising cost of a fire engine which is $280,000.

Because of increasing call volume and its toll on volunteers, as well as improving standards and requirements for fire apparatus engineers, full-time fire apparatus engineers are necessary to staff fire equipment at two stations during the week, allowing volunteers to staff the equipment at night and on weekends.

During the last two years the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District management team has overhauled and streamlined the budget. Funds have been effectively shifted from administration and salaries to allow the purchase of tools and equipment as well as completion of building and equipment maintenance projects, many that had been deferred for years.

This measure does not utilize the confusing unit of risk equation and is a significant reduction from the last measure, which was unsuccessful. It seeks $40 per dwelling per year, $20 per additional dwelling on the same property, $80 per business, $40 per additional business on the same property, and no charge for vacant parcels. The levy can (and will) be reduced accordingly if other funding sources are reinstated.

Our firefighters are very dedicated to training for and responding to emergencies. Please support their efforts by voting yes on Measure U. http://www.goldridgefire.org

s/ Andy Pforsich, Fire Chief
Gold Ridge Fire Protection District

s/ Alfred Fiori, President, Board of Directors
Gold Ridge Fire Protection District

s/ Steve Petrucci, President
Hessel Volunteer Firefighters Assn.

s/ Tom Baumgras, President
Twin Hills Firefighters Assn.

(No arguments against Measure U were submitted)


Sonoma Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: December 15, 2004 13:38 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.