Measure Q 11/03/26

Impartial analysis by Town Attorney of Measure Q

ANALYSIS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN OF CORTE MADERA OF THE TOWN OF CORTE MADERA’S CONTINUATION OF A SPECIAL PARCEL TAX MEASURE FOR PARAMEDIC AND/OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Measure Q (“Measure”), a Town of Corte Madera (“Town”) special parcel tax measure, seeks voter approval to continue the Town’s levy of a four-year special parcel tax, beginning ten (10) days after the vote is declared by the Town Council, at the following rates:

(1) Nonresidential uses: Ninety-four dollars and fifty cents ($94.50 to a maximum of $117.75) per year for each 1,000 square feet of floor area; (2) Residential Units: Ninety-four dollars and fifty cents ($94.50 to a maximum of $117.75) per year for each residential unit.

The Town estimates the parcel tax, if passed, will provide approximately $786,000 annually. The Town will use the revenue only for the purposes listed in the Measure, which are specifically and solely for the purpose of providing paramedic and/or emergency medical services. This limitation on the use of the proceeds shall be legally binding and enforceable.

If passed, as of ten (10) days after the vote is declared by the Town Council, the parcel tax will supersede and replace the existing parcel tax passed in 2022. If the measure fails, the existing parcel tax would continue until June 30, 2027, when it will cease to be in effect.

The Measure contains certain accountability provisions, including that the Town Treasurer shall prepare and file with the Town Council a report by August 1st of each year stating: (a) the amounts collected and spent by the Town in the previous fiscal year, (b) the status of services authorized to be funded by the proceeds of the tax, and (c) the funds carried over from previous years and to be carried over to future years. Such report shall be available for inspection without charge to any property owner in the Town.

The Town has the authority to levy special taxes upon approval by two-thirds of the votes cast on the special tax proposal. (Cal. Const. art. XIII A, § 4; art. XIII C, § 2; Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 50075-50077, 50079, & 53722.) If two-thirds of the qualified electors voting on this Measure do not vote for approval, it will fail, and the Town will not be authorized to levy the special parcel tax.

This Measure is placed on the ballot by the Town Council.

s/RICHARD D. PIO RODA
Town Attorney

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure Q, which is printed in full in this sample ballot pamphlet. If you desire an additional copy of the measure, please call the Elections Official's office at 415-927-5050 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. You may also access the full text of the measure on the Town of Corte Madera website at the following address: https://www.cortemadera.gov/562/Elections-Voter-Information

Argument in favor of Measure Q

Vote Yes on Q to maintain rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times in Corte Madera.

Since 1983 Corte Madera voters have overwhelmingly supported local voter-approved funding for paramedic services. Unless renewed by voters, this funding will expire next year and local paramedic services must be reduced.

Voting Yes on Q renews local paramedic funding for four more years at the current tax rate with modest annual increases of no more than $7.75 per year.

Voting Yes on Q will:

• Maintain rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times
• Preserve the number of on- duty paramedics ready to respond to accidents and medical emergencies
• Maintain access to lifesaving emergency medical training and equipment for local paramedics – including Advanced Life Support

Measure Q continues fiscal accountability and local control:

• All funds must stay in Corte Madera for paramedic services only and cannot be diverted
• No funds can be taken away by the state or federal governments
• Annual audits and public spending disclosure ensure funds are spent as promised

Local paramedic care is provided through state-of-the-art paramedic ambulance units with trained paramedics aboard fire engines so that advanced emergency care arrives as quickly as possible. While paramedic services are partially funded by collections from insurance companies and billing of nonresidents, the current level of service cannot continue without Measure Q.

For victims of heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and other emergencies, rapid 9-1-1 paramedic response can be the difference between life and death. You never know when an accident or medical emergency will occur. Vote Yes on Q to ensure rapid 9-1-1 paramedic response is ready when you or a loved one needs it the most.

BRIDGET PETERSON
Clinical Educator and RMS Nurse, Central Marin Fire Authority and Marin County Fire Dept.

ROSA THOMAS
Corte Madera Mayor

FRED CASISSA
Corte Madera Vice-Mayor

RUBEN MARTIN
Corte Madera Fire Chief

Argument against Measure Q

No argument against Measure Q was filed.