FIRE SERVICE SALES TAX
MEASURE
November 14, 2023
City of Cotati
*For informational/educational purposes only*
FIRE SERVICE SALES
TAX MEASURE
• “Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Initiative”
Title:
• Wildfire prevention, preparedness, emergency response and vegetation management
• Recruitment and retention of local firefighters
• Updates to essential equipment and facilities
Program Categories:
BACKGROUND
Measure G - March 2020 ballot
Was placed on the ballot by Sonoma County
It had limited community outreach or education
The measure failed passing the 66.67% threshold by 1.83% Fire Service Working Group (FSWG)
For Measure G, operated as technical specialist under the BOS Fire Ad-Hoc Now redesigned and operates as a subsection of the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association to fund the goal of improved and enhanced local fire protection, paramedic services and disaster response
NEW PROPOSED
MEASURE
FSWG started from square one on a new tax measure
New strategy, new ordinance language
New governance and allocation plan
Half-Cent General Sales Tax – March 2024
Countywide benefit, filling service gaps
Estimated to generate $60M-$65M annually directly to
the fire service
Focuses on adding personnel and new facilities or facility upgrades based on deployment analyses
NEW STRATEGY
Petition driven initiative:
Requires 50% +1 to pass
Polls at 65%-67%
Goal is to pass above 66.67% to negate threat of
potential ‘roundtable’ measure
Changed FSWG Representation
Improved Union – Union relationship
Strong campaign managed by L-1401
NEW ORDINANCE
Managed by the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association
Change of allocation
Community Oversight Committee enhanced
Emphasis placed on adding local firefighters and building fire stations
NEW OVERSIGHT
Independent Oversight Committee
Independent County Residents – no active fire chiefs, fire directors, County employees, or spouses to any such individuals.
Eleven (11) appointed members:
Two (2) from Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association of Sonoma County Two (2) from a list submitted by the labor organizations responsible for collective bargaining Three (3) appointed by Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association One (1) from the general public
Two (2) appointed by the Sonoma County Fire Districts Association One (1) from the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association
Three-year term with eligibility to reappoint
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT
Performance Audit
Each agency shall prepare and distribute to the Committee an annual report which includes the amount received from the measure and how it was allocated. A summary of the positions and start up, equipment and facilities that were funded with revenue.
The specific activities that support fire prevention, including vegetation management. Status of facility capital improvement projects that are funded with revenue from the tax. Demonstration of compliance with the requirements of this plan that the funds shall be used to pay for enhancing operations.
Any remaining funds from allocations provided in previous years, and an explanation for proposed use of such funds.
NEW ALLOCATION PLAN
PARTNERSHIPS AND COORDINATION
Unions
Vegetation management
Firesafe Sonoma
Farm Bureau
Outreach
City Managers Association
Mayors and Councils
Taxpayer groups
Board of Supervisors
Civic groups and Business owners
RANCHO ADOBE FIRE DISTRICT
SPECIFIC BENEFITS
Facilities funding to support Rancho Adobe’s Public Safety Facilities Plan
Upgrades to Fire Station # 1 – Cotati
Upgrades and Expansion of Fire Station #3 – Liberty
Training Facility Enhancements
Advanced Life Support certified Firefighters on all Fire Engines
The addition of personnel to support operational oversight, apparatus maintenance, firefighter training, and vegetation management programs
Indirect financial support:
Lexipol Fees - $10,000/year
Upstaffing costs – red flag and winter storm
Technology enhancements
Training enhancements
Vegetation Management projects
QUESTIONS?