Measure R 11/03/26

Impartial analysis by Town Attorney of Measure R

Town of Fairfax

MEASURE EXTENDING A SPECIAL PARCEL TAX FOR FOUR (4) YEARS AND INCREASING ITS RATE TO FUND LOCAL PARAMEDIC AND PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ROSS VALLEY PARAMEDIC AUTHORITY

The Town of Fairfax is a member of the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority, a joint powers authority formed to provide paramedic and pre-hospital emergency medical services throughout its member agencies’ boundaries (the “RVPA”).

Under Measure “F”, passed by Fairfax voters in November, 2022, the Town currently levies an annual parcel tax at a rate of $103.50 per taxable residential unit and $103.50 per 1,500 square feet of taxable non-residential floor area. The tax started collection on July 1, 2023 and will expire June 30, 2027, unless extended by voters. Measure “F” funds must be spent on paramedic and pre-hospital emergency medical services provided by the RVPA.

On July 1, 2026, the Town Council placed Measure “R” on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. If approved by two-thirds (2/3) of Fairfax voters, Measure “R” would extend the parcel tax for four (4) years, with a new expiration date of June 30, 2031. It would also increase the tax rates to the following:

For non-residential uses: For each 1,000 square feet of floor area, up to:

1. $107.50 for fiscal year 2027-2028;
2. $111.00 for fiscal year 2028-2029;
3. $114.50 for fiscal year 2029-2030;
4. $118.00 for fiscal year 2030-2031.

For each residential unit, up to:

1. $107.50 for fiscal year 2027-2028;
2. $111.00 for fiscal year 2028-2029;
3. $114.50 for fiscal year 2029-2030;
4. $118.00 for fiscal year 2030-2031.

The tax is estimated to generate $432,000 annually until it expires. Measure “R” does not change the purposes of the parcel tax. Tax revenues will continue to be deposited into a special Town fund and used solely for funding paramedic and/or pre-hospital emergency medical services provided through the RVPA.

Measure “R” requires the Town’s Treasurer to file an annual report with the Town Council showing (i) the amount of tax revenues collected and spent by the Town in the previous fiscal year (ii) the status of services funded with tax revenues, and (iii) the funds carried over from previous years and into future years. The report shall be available for inspection without charge to any property owner in the Town.

This parcel tax would be collected in the same time and manner and subject to the same requirements as other property taxes fixed and collected by the County of Marin on behalf of the Town of Fairfax.

A “yes” vote on Measure “R” will approve this parcel tax.

A “no” vote on Measure “R” will not approve this parcel tax.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure “R”. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please call the Town’s elections official at (415) 458-2343 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

s/JANET COLESON
Town Attorney

Argument in favor of Measure R

Vote Yes on R to maintain rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times.

Since 1982 the voters of the Ross Valley 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 R renews local paramedic funding for four more years at the current tax rate with modest annual increases of no more than $4 per year.

Voting Yes on R 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

Measure R continues fiscal accountability and local control:

• All funds must stay in the Ross Valley 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

When created 44 years ago, the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority operated a single ambulance. Today, 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.

The Ross Valley Paramedic Authority is a partnership of eight Ross Valley communities that have combined efforts to ensure exceptional emergency medical response for the safety of our communities. While paramedic services are partially funded by collections from insurance companies and billing of nonresidents, the current level of service cannot continue without Measure R.

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 R to ensure rapid 9-1-1 paramedic response is ready when you or a loved one needs it the most.

STEPHANIE HELLMAN
Fairfax Mayor

FRANK EGGER
Fairfax Vice Mayor

LISEL BLASH
Fairfax Councilmember

BARBARA COLER
Fairfax Councilmember

MIKE GHIRINGHELLI
Fairfax Councilmember

Argument against Measure R

No argument against Measure R was filed.