Referred to the People by the City Council

Five-Year Local Option Tax for Public Safety

Question: Shall Sublimity Fire District impose 98¢ / $1000 assessed value for 5 years for equipment and personnel beginning 2004/2005? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout. The Board of Directors has determined that the lack of available personnel for emergencies is critical and warrants hiring of paid personnel as well as improving conditions for volunteer firefighters. The District’s goal is to provide in-station staffing 24 hours a day. The District currently waits for off-duty and volunteer personnel to respond to the stations prior to responding to emergencies.

This levy provides funds to hire and equip paid personnel and to provide financial support for a revised staffing plan, training system and improved reimbursement and stipends for the volunteer firefighters.