Registrar of
Voters Division
SONOMA COUNTY 135 Fiscal De.S
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
Clerk-Recorder-Assessor
FORNIA
http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/cra
COUNTY INITIATIVE RECEIPT
DATE: June 9, 2023
I, Deva Marie Proto, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters, hereby acknowledge receipt of $200.00 for the filing of a Notice of Intention to circulate a petition. Pursuant to Elections §9103(b), the $200 deposit will be refunded if, within one year of the date of filing the Notice of Intention, the petition is certified as having been found sufficient.
Amount: $200.00
Received from: Steve Akre
Initiative Title: Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Initiative
Proponents): Tony Gossner, Taya Levine
Received By:
T.J. Knezek
Administrative Aide
cc: Accounting
ECEIVE
JUN 0 9 2023
SONOMA COUNTY
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Tony Gossner Taya Levine
June 7, 2023 E EIV E
JUN 0 9 2023
Deva Marie Proto
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters SONOMA COUNTY
435 Fiscal Drive REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Re: Authorization re: Filing, and Otherwise Serving as my Attorney.
Agents, and Authorized Representatives in Connection with, the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Initiative
Dear Ms. Proto:
In our capacity as the proponents of the Improved and Enhanced Local 'Initiative") in Sonoma County, California, this letter appoints attorney Nicholas Sanders and agent Steve Akre, to serve as our agents and authorizec representatives ("our agents") for any and all purposes in connection with the Initiative.
For example, we authorize our agents to, in connection with the Initiative:
1. File the Initiative with your office on our behalf, as permitted by California Elections Code section 9113;
2. Interact with your office, the Sonoma County Counsel's office, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters' office, any City Attorney's office for cities within Sonoma County, and/or any other governmental and/or private party;
3. Receive and provide information on our behalf regarding the number of signatures on the Initiative petition, the number of petition sections being filed with your office, and/or similar types of information about the Initiative;
4. Receive and provide information on our behalf regarding any report permitted by California Elections Code section 9111;
5. Withdraw the Initiative from the ballot as permitted by California Elections Code 9118.5;
Deva Marie Proto
Sage 2a County Registrar of Voters
6. Ded the reasonich or suatudes gun theon, as penited by editualied Government Code section 6253.5; and
7. Interact with your office and/or any other governmental and/or private party on our behalf.
Sincerely,
Tony Gossner Taya Levine
Tony Gossner Taya Levine
June 7, 2023
Deva Marie Proto
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
435 Fiscal Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Re: Request for Title and Summary
Dear Ms. Proto:
We hereby give notice of our intention to circulate a petition within the local firefighters; updates to essential equipment and facilities; transfer of funds among designated local agencies or entities; implementation costs; and countywide expenditures.
Enclosed are the Notice of Intent (and Statement of Reasons), the full text of the proposed initiative (which is entitled "the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Initiative") and the statement required by Calitornia Elections Code section 9608.
Pursuant to Calitornia Elections Code sections 9101 and 9105, we request that the sonoma County Counsel timely prepare a Title and Summary of the proposed initiative, so that we may comply with the publication requirements Please send all correspondence related to this initiative to our attorney at the following office address and email address:
Nicholas L. Sanders, Esq.
Sanders Political Law
1121 L Street, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95814
([email protected])
Telephone: (916) 242-7414
Deva Marie Proto
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
Sincerely,
Ger: Jayakoleonie
Tony Gossner Tavalevin
Enclosures:
(1) Notice of Intent (and Statement of Reasons);:
(2) Text of the Proposed Measure; and
(3) Elections Code section 9608 Statement.
CC: Nicholas L. Sanders, Esq.
Sanders Political Law
Steve Akre
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate the petition within the County of Sonoma for the purpose of implementing a halt-cent sales and use tax, the proceeds of which shall be used only for wildhire prevention, preparedness, emergency response and vegetatior management; recruitment and retention of local firefighters; updates to essential equipment and facilities; transfer of funds among designated local agencies o entities; implementation costs; and countywide expenditures.
A statement of the reasons of the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows:
Like many counties in Calitornia, Sonoma County has taced major challenges in recent years when it comes to the critical funding needs facing fire service delivery structure, funding, and system structure isn't enough. meeting National Fire Protection Agency standards in all parts of the county. several service gaps exist, especially in the more rural areas where there are currently extended response times to critical medical emergencies and vehicle accident victims. There are also significant delays in getting an effective fire force on scene to keep small fires from becoming major incidents.
County file chi the cation as invested signant resoure it, to aliging new initiative for the March 2024 ballot. The new initiative was written by local firefighters and fire chiefs, who believe the measure addresses a critical need facing Sonoma County and reflects their knowledge of the challenges and needs for fire protection.
All funds raised by this measure would be spent by Sonoma County fire agencies to provide fire protection and emergency response services. Strict financial accountability provisions and annual reporting will ensure all funds are spent properly.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would create a regional plan based on population density, call volumes, station coverage, current service gaps, and special hazards to advance a comprehensive long-term strategy covering all jurisdictions.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would levy a ½ cent sales tax that would generate $60 million annually to address funding challenges.
The Measure would increase effective firefighting force available ountywide using National Fire Protection Agency standards 1710/1720 and a key goal of 3 local firefighters per engine.
The Measure would reduce the strain of responding outside of existing boundaries, reduce dependence on larger fire agencies and increase the overall strength of the firefighting system, while improving recruitment and retention of firefighters countywide.
The Measure would also increase capacity for local fire prevention efforts like vegetation management.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would include away by the State or reallocated for purposes other than those specified in this measure.
Tony Gossner
Jara Materia
C Taya Levine
The People of the County of Sonoma ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Title.
This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "Improved and Initiatived Local Fire Protection, Paratedic Services and Disaster Response SECTION 2. Findings.
fire service delivery structure, funding, and system structure is not enough. meeting National Fire Protection Agency standards in all parts of the county.
Several service gaps exist, especially in the more rural areas where there are currently extended response times to critical medical emergencies and vehicle on scene to keep small fires from becoming major incidents.
Following the failure of Measure G on the March 2020 ballot, the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association has invested significant resources into qualifying a new initiative for the March 2024 ballot. The new initiative was written by local firefighters and fire chiefs, who believe the measure addresses a critical need tacing Sonoma County and reflects their knowledge of the challenges and needs for fire protection.
All funds raised by this measure would be spent by Sonoma County fire agencies to provide fire protection and emergency response services. Strict financial accountability provisions and annual reporting will ensure all funds are spent properly.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would create a regional plan based on population density, call volumes, station coverage, current service gaps, and special hazards to advance a comprehensive long-term strategy covering all jurisdictions.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would levy a 1½ cent sales tax that would generate $60 million annually to address funding challenges.
The Measure would increase effective firefighting force available countywide using National Fire Protection Agency standards 1710/1720 and a key goal of 3 local firefighters per engine.
The Measure would reduce the strain of responding outside of existing boundaries, reduce dependence on larger fire agencies and increase the overall
strength of the firefighting system, while improving recruitment and retention of firefighters countywide.
The Measure would also increase capacity for local fire prevention efforts like vegetation management.
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention and Response Measure would include fiscal accountability protections including representation from Fire Districts.
Association, Fire Chiefs Association, Taxpayers Association, Board of Supervisors away by the State or reallocated for purposes other than those specified in this measure.
SECTION 3. Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Initiative.
Article VIII is added to Chapter 12 of the Sonoma County Code as follows:
Srice and Disaster Response Transactions and Dear in Paramedic Section 12-60. TITLE.
This Ordinance shall be known, and may be cited, as the "Improved and Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance, Prince he county or gma rina sal be call the Count, the "Ordinance.
This Ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the County.
Section 12-61. SEPARATE SECTION WITH TRUE AND IMPARTIAL
STATEMENT OF FACTS IDENTIFYING THE TAX AND SPECIFIC
LIMITATIONS ON HOW THE REVENUE CAN BE SPENT.
If approved by a simple majority of County voters, this Ordinance enacts a retail transactions and use tax in Sonoma County at the rate of one half of a cent per dollar ($0.005) to be used only for the purposes set forth in section 12-66, including, but not limited to, wildfire prevention, preparedness, emergency countywide expenditures. The Expenditure Plan set forth in section 12-66 is intended as a specific and legally binding and enforceable limitation on how the proceeds of the transactions and use tax imposed by this Ordinance may be spent. The revenues collected as a result of this tax may not be used for any purposes not specifically identified in this Ordinance.
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX ORDINANCE; COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW.
A. Effective Date; Operative Date. This chapter shall be effective ten (10) days naicating approval by a majority of the voters voting in the election of the measure enacting this chapter. The transactions (sales) and use tax imposed ereunder shall be operative the first day of the first calendar quarter ommencing more than one hundred ten (110) days after the adoption of thi chapter ("Operative Date"). The operative date for the transactions (sales) and use tax imposed hereunder shall be on October 1, 2024.
B. Purpose.
a. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance within the County in the amount of one-half of a cent per dollar as provided herein for the specific purpose of generating tunds to be deposited into the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account that may only be used for the purposes specified herein, including, but not limited to, wildtire prevention, preparedness, emergency response and vegetation for senates or atie, intention ot an one edere to
b. To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and section 7285.5 of Part 1.7 of Division 2 which authorizes the County to adopt this tax Ordinance provided that a majority of the electors voting on the measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose. c. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
d. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures followed by the California Department of Tax and Fer Administration in administering and collecting the Calitornia state Sales and Use Taxes.
e. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible consistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of record keeping
upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this Ordinance.
recruitment and retention of local firefighters, updates to essential equipment and tacilities, transfer of funds among designated local agencies or entities, implementation costs, and countywide expenditures, provided by the County of Sonoma and the fire agencies throughout the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the g. To increase the appropriations limit for the County to ensure that the proceeds of the proposed special tax may be expended for their h. To authorize issuance of limited tax bonds to finance projects in accordance with section 12-63.
C. Contract With State. Prior to the Operative Date, the County shall contract with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to pertorm all functions incident to the administration and operation of this transactions and use tax Ordinance; provided, that if the County shall not have contracted with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration prior to the Operative Date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such a case the Operative Date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.
D. Transactions (Sales) Tax. For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retal
(1/2%) of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail in said territory on and after the operative date of this E. Use Tax. An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the County of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the operative date of this Ordinance for storage, use or other ca age a sie are ters a gains of the bact which.
delivery is made.
P. Deposit Into Special Account. The County Administrator, County Auditor- Controller-Tax Collector, and/or Finance Department shall establish an Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account and all retail transactions and use Department into the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account. Such proceeds shall only be used for the specific purposes and allocations identified in section 12-66.
G. Place Of Sale. For the purposes of this Ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible persona
aseade. In thee state setain ase ax, rarel piaf of business in the eate or nas more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales prescribed and adopted by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
H. Adoption Of Provisions Of State Law. Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions ot far
1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 I. Limitations On Adoption Of State Law And Collection Of Use Taxes. In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:
1. Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the name of this County shall be substituted theretor. However, the substitution shall not be made when:
a. The word "State" is used as a part of the title of the State Controller, State Treasurer, State Treasury, or the Constitution of the State of California;
b. The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or against this County or any agency, officer, or employee thereot rathe than by or against the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, in performing the functions incident to the administration or operation of this Ordinance.
c. In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to sections resert of the substitution wond be tof the State of California, where the •ri Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storch e, used not otherise be exempt from this tax wal leuety sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or;
ii. Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to tax by the state under the said provision of that code. d. In sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereot), 6711, 6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
2. The word "County" shall be substituted for the word "State" in the phrase "retailer engaged in business in this State" in section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase in section 6203.
a. "A retailer engaged in business in the County"' shall also include any retailer that, in the preceding calendar year or the current calendar year, has total combined sales of tangible personal property in this State
or for delivery in the State by the retailer and all persons related to the retailer that exceeds five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For burposes of this section
of the United States Code and the regulations thereunder.
J. Permit Not Required. If a seller's permit has been issued to a retailer under section 6067 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor's permit shall not be required by this Ordinance.
K. Exemptions And Exclusions.
1. There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and the use tax the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.
2. There are exempted from the computation of the amount of transactions tax the gross receipts from:
a. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircratt to be used or consumed principally outside the County in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use oi such aircratt as common carmers or persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the Unitec States, or any foreign government.
b. Sales of property to be used outside the County which is shipped to a point outside the County, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the relate are for air enter consent alse the co for the
i. With respect to vehicles (other than commercial vehicles) subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraf licensed in compliance with section 21411 of the Public fresidence; anı
i. With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a plac I business out of County and declaration lever Be alerted Projury, signed by the buyer,
c. The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to thè operative date of this Ordinance.
1. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale o such property, for any period of time for which the lessor is obligater
to lease the property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of this Ordinance.
e. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for. which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised
3. There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this Ordinance, the storage, use or other consumption in this County of tangible personal property:
a. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.
b. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this state, te Revent and aton de orde set or altonia 636.1 of
c. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this Ordinance.
1. It the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, the tangible personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by a lease prior to the operative date of this Ordinance.
e. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, storage, use, or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of ame or if any Bry o the sona or lase has tay period st
unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, the purchaser of tangible personal property, unless the retaller ships representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person ir the Countv under the authority of the retailer
g. "A retailer engaged in business in the County" shall also include any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with section
21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax trom any purchaser who registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the County.
4. Any person subject to use tax under this Ordinance may credit against that tax any transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district imposing , or retailer liable for a transactions tax pursuant to Part
1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the sale o the person of the property the storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax.
L. Amendments. All amendments subsequent to the ettective date ot this Ordinance to Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become a part of this Ordinance, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this Ordinance.
M. Enjoining Collection Forbidden. No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court • Me kegene and Tastion code, day as or any amount fix requred to be N. Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4), adoption of this transaction and use tax Urdinance and Expenditure Plan is not a project subject to the requirements of CEQA. Prior to commencement of any project included in the Expenditure Plan, any necessary environmental review required by CEQA shall be completed. Estimated costs in the Expenditure Plan include the cost of such environmental review.
Section 12-63. ESTABLISHMENT OF BONDING AUTHORITY.
The cities and fire agencies are authorized to issue bonds for the purposes ot secured by and payable from all or any portion of the transactions and use tax imposed by this Ordinance to finance any program or project in the Expenditure transactions and use tax. All costs associated with the issuance of such bonds shall be accounted for within the program category in which the bond proceeds are used. The bonds may be issued any time throughout the duration of this tax.
Nothing herein shall limit or restrict in any way the power and authority of the
other transaction under the Government Code or any other law.
Section 12-64. APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT.
The appropriations limit for the County shall be increased for the maximum period permitted by law (four years) to allow for the use of all proceeds raised by the special tax imposed by this Ordinance.
Section 12-65. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENT.
The proceeds from this Ordinance shall not be used to supplant an agency's historical general fund(s) contribution originating from ad valorem property taxes, parcel taxes, or any other taxes and/ or tees, in support of the operating (non-capital project or limited term expenses) cost for providing its fire related amount that each agency has tor their baseline operating budget (not including limited term funds such as capital projects, grants, grant matches, or other one- time revenues) tor fiscal year 2021-2022. It the proportional allocation provide to any agency is materially different than the same proportion allocated in fisca which provides unding shal be deemed to her Cave pela of neena istiet, effort, and will violate this section.
Section 12-66. EXPENDITURE PLAN.
, a sub-committee of the Sonoma County
the public's safety. The ensuing Deployment Plan, which is the basis of this Expenditure Plan, was informed by NFPA 1710/1720 National Standards, as well an analysis of population density, call volumes, station coverage response times special hazard areas, and local knowledge and was developed to provide a long- term framework for planning, funding, and implementing enhanced fire and wildfire capabilities within Sonoma County. The goals of this Expenditure Plar embody the lessons learned from the October 2017 fires (Tubbs, Nuns and ocket fires), 2019 fires (Kincade fire), and 2020 fires (Walbridge and Glass fires and several hundred vears of experience of the local Fire Chiefs and firefighters effective and efficient regional fire response and preparedness services throughout Sonoma County.
• Precion, Paramedic Service and Disaster Rerovese Transacioes and Use Tax
Ordinance (the "Ordinance") provides for investment into six program categories which include, but are not limited to: wildfire prevention, preparedness, countywide expenditures. The tax proceeds must be spent for the purposes authorized in this Expenditure Plan and may not be used for other purposes. The revenues collected from the tax shall be used only to supplement existing services and shall not be used to pay for existing operations. The percentage of tax being distributed to each Agency is set forth in section 12-66(D). this section. Funds shall be allocated for programs and projects that do one of the following:
1. Wildfire Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Vegetation Management. The addition of approximately 200 firefighters, which will provide tor more efficient, effective, and sustainable fire response paramedic services, and wildfire prevention and response capabilities that protect the health and safety of Sonoma County residents, business owners, and visitors. The sales tax will fund new regional fire inspectors and a county-wide vegetation management crew to provide enhanced vegetation management to prevent wildfire spread throughout the county.
Local fire agencies' staff shall provide vegetation management services in their jurisdictions, including parcel inspections to ensure that property owners are complying with minimum vegetation management standards of the County of Sonoma's Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material ordinance or relevant ordinance (that meets the minimum standards established by the County) within an agency's jurisdiction. The county-wide crew will pertorm vegetation management hire prevention services that will directly mitigate hazards, reduce fuels reinforce evacuation routes, and construct fuel breaks.
2. Recruitment and Retention of Local Firefighters. As described above, the sales tax will provide support for approximately 200 additional firefighters throughout the county to protect the public's health and satety. The enhanced level of service will fund qualified firefighters and paramedics to provide wildfire suppression, emergency response, and vegetation management fire prevention services. In addition, the sales tax will go to certain fire agencies that have specific challenges recruiting and retaining tull-time hirefighters.
3. Update Essential Equipment and Facilities. The agencies that provide are suppression services are authorized upon the approval of their suppression agencies to respond to the fire suppression and fire prevention needs of their respective communities including equipment and facilities upgrades, construction and/or acquisition. An agency with municipal fire
alane day rial lay and acored by there respecter get in as body, and the maximum bonded indebtedness shall not exceed the projected 30-year distribution of their annual allocation. t. Transter of Funds Among Designated Local Agencies or Other Entities Local Agencies which receive funds allocated from the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance shall be permitted to enter nto an agreement with any other local agency or entity which is deliverins products and/or services which accomplish the purposes of this Ordinance
5. Implementation Costs. In addition to the purposes set torth above hanced ocal is permited to dilocate the purpo Sonoma County is permitted to allocate funds raised by the Improved anc Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance to pay for expenses incurred atter the eitective date of the Ordinance which relate to the implementation of the tax, including payments necessary for the operation of the Oversight Committee and Measure reporting set forth in section 12-
67. These expenses shall be accounted for, and any amount in excess of the amount allocated to the County in section 12-66(D) shall be removed trom the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account prior to distribution of funds to agencies, as set forth in section 12-66(D).
6. Countywide Expenditures. Revenue allocated to the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association (SCFCA) may fund Countywide Fire Service expenses. CA) may fund Co The types of expenses to be funded include but are not limited to:
REDCOM dispatch fees (Districts and Cities) and additional capacity to bring REDCOM to a Command Center lever of service; Lexipol fees; public and non-profit organizations that assist with Countywide vegetatior management utilizing the adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan; technologies to improve and enhanced fire protection and prevention, paramedic services, and disaster response; Red Flag and winter storm upstatling; Countywide recruitment and training programs; SCFCA administrative support to ensure tax measure compliance; sustainability of D. Allocation of funds. The following entities will receive a percentage of Tax Allocated as follows:
Entity Percentage of Tax
City of Healdsburg 2.51%
City of Petaluma 17.19%
City of Rohnert Park 5.50%
City of Santa Rosa 14.40%
City of Sebastopol 1.80%
City of Sonoma 1.18%
Cazadero Community Services District 1.14%
Coverdale Fire Protection District including the City 2.78% of Cloverdale)
Gold Ridge Fire Protection District 2.89%
Graton Fire Protection District 1.06%
Kenwood Fire Protection District 1.87%
Monte Rio Fire Protection District 2.43%
North Sonoma Coast Fire Protection District 2.39%
Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District 5.00%
Occidental Community Services District 1.61%
Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District including the 3.50% City of Cotati)
Schell-Vista Fire Protection District 1.20%
Sonoma County Fire District (including the Town of
6.61%
Windsor)
Sonoma Valley Fire District 5.20%
Timber Cove Fire Protection District 2.47%
Community Service Area 40 (Bodega) 0.13%
Community Service Area 40 (Camp Meeker) 0.39%
Community Service Area 40 (Fort Ross) 0.02%
Community Service Area 40 (Lakeville) 1.97%
Community Service Area 40 (Two Rock) 0.03%
Community Service Area 40 (Valley Ford) 1.96%
Community Service Area 40 (Wilmar) 2.28%
Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District -
Fund and manage Countywide Vegetation 5.00%
Management Crews
County of Sonoma - Fire Prevention and Haz-Mat
0.42%
Division
County of Sonoma Auditor - Controller - Treasurer
1.00%
- Tax Collector Administrative Fee
Sonoma County Chiefs Association 14.07%
E. Allocation of remaining funds.
1. With each quarterly distribution, the entirety of funds held within the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account should be allocated among entities, as set forth in section 12-66(D).
. In the event any entity enumerated in section 12-66(D) consolidate vith, or is annexed by, any other entity, the successor agency shall receiv the funds allocated to the enumerated entity.
3. In the event that the entirety of funds from the Improved and Enhanced be distributed to REDCOM.
SECONDENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND
A. Composition. The Board of Supervisors shall establish an Oversight
annual report of each Agency's use of the tax. Any written report shall be a public record.
1. All Committee members shall be independent County residents. For the ourposes of this section, and "independent County resident" shall not include active fire chiefs, active fire directors, County employees, or spouses to any such individuals.
2. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors shall appoint six Committee members will be selected from a list of names submitted by the Mayors' an arene ended by load fences war reci ming iron i
this Ordinance.
3. The Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association will appoint three Committee members. One will be selected from a list of names nominated from the general public.
4. The Sonoma County Fire Districts Association will appoint two Committee members. One will be selected from a list of names submitted by the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association.
5. Committee Members will serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed by their appointing body.
B. Annual Reports. The funds collected from the Ordinance shall be received and distributed by the County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector. Each agency which receives any amount from the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account shall prepare and distribute to the Committee, no later than the last day of the sixth month following the end of the fiscal year, an annual report which includes the amount received from the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account and how it was allocated. Each such report shall include as an attachment the agency s most recent annual audit, annual budget, and/or other independent financial review, if available, to the Committee. The Committee shall review all such reports on at least an annual basis. Each agency's Annual Enhanced Local Pie rotal ion, arainedis selated and Disastered and Response Transactions and Use Tax Account by providing a budget to actual report, balance sheet, and fund balance report.
Use Tax Account.
3. The specific activities that support fire prevention, including vegetation management.
. Update on the status of facility capital improvement projects that ar unded with revenue from the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Account.
5. Das shalt e use oto pay fare with the operatements of this plan that the
6. Any material changes in the service needs within the agency's jurisdiction or countywide.
7. Any remaining funds from allocations provided in previous years, and an explanation for proposed use of such funds.
C. Committee Authority. To preserve the integrity and independence of the oversight process, the Committee's responsibilities shall not include decisior making on spending priorities, financing plans or tax rate projections or assumptions, and the Committee shall have no authority to direct, nor shall it direct, County staff or officials or fire agency statf or officials.
D. Enforcement of Committee Authority. The Committee is authorized to recommend investigation into the misuse of public funds distributed under the Improved and Enhanced Local Fire Protection, Paramedic Services and Disaster Response Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance to the California State Attorney General, Sonoma County District Attorney, or Sonoma County Grand Jury.
Section 12-68. OVERSIGHT AND ADMINISTRATION.
A. The implementation of this Ordinance will be the responsibility of the Oversight Committee whọ reports directly to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The County is charged with a fiduciary duty in administering the tax proceeds in accordance with applicable laws and this Measure. Receipt of ta› proceeds may be subject to approprate terms and conditions, including, but noi limited to, the right to require recipients to execute funding agreements and the right to audit recipient's use of the tax proceeds. Environmental reporting, review and approval procedures as provided for under the National Environmental Policy Act, and/or California Environmental Quality Act, or other applicable laws will be adhered to as a prerequisite to the implementation of any project. Actual tax proceeds may be higher or lower than estimated over the duration of this Measure. Funding agreements shall be required betore any tax proceeds are distributed. Each funding agreement shall establish existing revenues used to fund existing personnel in order to establish the baseline for measuring compliance with the requirement that sales tax proceeds shall only be used to pay for additional personnel. The funding agreements will acknowledge that the Measure provides funding to achieve effective and efficient regional fire response services throughout Sonoma County.
B. California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Costs Payment for the costs of contracting with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for administration of the tax shall be the responsibility of the County. If the election is successful, the County shall be reimbursed for any fee charged by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration from the proceeds of the tax, and any amounts in excess of the allocation to the County set
forth in section 12-66(D) shall be deducted from the annual proceeds from the tax before quarterly distribution to the agencies and entities enumerated in section 12-66(D).
C. The annual administrative cost borne by the County's Auditor and County Administrator staff, the Oversight Committee administrative costs and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, to the extent such costs are in excess of the allocation provided to the County in section 12-66(D), will be deducted from the annual proceeds from the tax before quarterly distribution to the agencies and entities enumerated in section 12-66(D).
SECTION 4. Effective Date and Operative Date.
This chapter shall be effective ten (10) days after certification by the Board of Supervisors of the returns of the election indicating approval by a majority of the voters voting in the election of the measure enacting this chapter. The operative date for the transactions (sales) and use tax imposed hereunder shall be on October 1, 2024.
SECTION 5. Severability.
If any provision of this measure, or part thereof, or the applicability of any safect, but at reman in i forge and alect, and no this end the provisions among designated local agencies or entities; implementation costs; and countywide expenditures; and that each of these vital County services are independently important of one another.
SECTION 6. Conflicting Measures.
This measure is intended to be comprehensive. It is the intent of the posin the ole meate or maste til edened in antic with ene
measure. In the event that this measure receives a greater number of affirmative pores, tons ovie one this sure sure shall permal in impreminted only to the win the mean ouch confining mean of meat did plan nice. accounting for this measure's sales and use tax imposition, impose a sales and/or use tax in excess of the limits placed on the imposition of such taxes in Sonoma County by the State of California. If this measure is approved by a majority of the voters, but does not receive a greater number of affirmative votes than any other protection and moment, then the mesme or sete in eaten t not in conflict with said other measure or measures.
SECTION 7. Liberal Constitution.
This measure is an exercise of the initiative power reserved to the People of Sonoma County for funding wildtire prevention, preparedness, emergency response and vegetation management; recruitment and retention of local firefighters; updates to essential equipment and facilities; transfer of funds among designated local agencies or entities; implementation costs; and countywide expenditures; and shall be liberally construed to effectuate that purpose.
SECTION 8. Municipal Affair.
The People of Sonoma County hereby declare that, separately and together, the following purposes constitute municipal affairs: wildfire prevention, preparedness, emergency response and vegetation management; recruitment anc 'etention of local firefighters; updates to essential equipment and facilities transfer of funds among designated local agencies or entities; implementation costs; and countywide expenditures. The People of Sonoma County hereby further declare their desire for this measure to coexist with any similar tax measures adopted at the city, county or state levels.
and shall be empowered by the People of Sonoma County through this measure be no more than the amount it would cost the Sonoma County to perform the
Tony Gossner
XX
June 7, 2023
Deva Marie Proto
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
435 Fiscal Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Re: Proponent's Signed Statement Pursuant to
Elections Code Section 9608
Dear Ms. Proto:
Pursuant to California Elections Code section 9608, we hereby submit the Proteings Parade Services add Disaster Response Initiated, a fich we are the proponents, as follows:
1, Tony Gossner, acknowledge that it is a misdemeanor under state law (Section 18650 of the Elections Code) to knowingly or willfully allow the purpose other than qualification of the measure for the ballot.
Tony Gossner
Dated this day of June : , 2023