Town of Ross
To maintain local ambulance services staffed by paramedics available to respond to 9-1-1 emergencies, shall the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority measure be adopted continuing for four years the paramedic services special tax of up to $107.50/residential living unit or 1,000 square feet of developed nonresidential property, adjusted up to $4/year, generating approximately $111,000 annually, with annual audits, public spending disclosure and all funds for local paramedic services?
YES NO
Votes required to pass: 2/3 voter approval.
Impartial analysis by Town Attorney of Measure U
The Town Council of the Town of Ross adopted Resolution No. 2637 on July 9, 2026 placing Measure U on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Measure U would adopt Ordinance No. 736, amending Chapter 3.30 of the Ross Municipal Code to continue an existing special tax that funds paramedic and pre-hospital emergency medical services provided by the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority. The ordinance authorizes the paramedic services tax to remain in effect for four more years, expiring on June 30, 2031. As a special tax, two-thirds of the voters voting on the tax must vote in its favor for the paramedic services tax to be continued and increased.
The Town’s existing paramedic services tax is $103.50 and expires June 30, 2027. Measure U would continue the tax for four additional fiscal years. For fiscal year 2027-2028, the measure sets the rate at $107.50 per dwelling unit on a residential parcel, and $107.50 per 1,000 square feet of structure on a parcel in non-residential use. Under the existing tax, the non-residential rate is applied per 1,500 square feet, this measure would change that basis to 1,000 square feet.
The measure authorizes the Town Council to approve an annual increase of not more than $4.00, up to a maximum of $118.00 in fiscal year 2030-2031. Under the existing tax the maximum annual increase is $3.00. Any increase is not automatic, the Council must approve the rate each year by resolution.
Proceeds of the tax may be used only for paramedic and pre-hospital emergency medical care services. The measure also increases the Town’s appropriations limit under Article XIII B, Section 6 of the California Constitution by the amount of the tax proceeds.
A “YES” vote is a vote to continue the paramedic services special tax for four additional years on the terms stated above.
A “NO” vote is a vote not to continue the tax, which would expire on June 30, 2027.
s/Benjamin L. Stock
Town Attorney
Town of Ross
Argument in favor of Measure U
For 44 years, local paramedic services in the Ross Valley have been supported by a modest parcel tax that provides dedicated local funding to protect critical lifesaving paramedic services. When this funding was initially approved by local voters, it funded a single dedicated ambulance for the Ross Valley. As our community has grown and emergency medical services evolved, dedicated local paramedic funding now helps support two ambulances as well as state-of-the-art fire department units with trained paramedics and equipment aboard fire engines so that advanced emergency care arrives as quickly as possible.
Both a fire engine and an ambulance are dispatched to all 9-1-1 emergency calls. For victims of heart attacks, strokes, accidents and other emergencies, rapid 9-1-1 paramedic response can be the difference between life and death. Voting YES will ensure paramedics are ready to respond quickly when you or a loved one needs help the most.
Local paramedic funding will expire unless renewed by voters for four more years. Increases in the annual tax rate are capped at no more than $4.
Voting Yes will:
- Preserve the number of on-duty paramedics on fire engines and ambulances ready to respond to medical emergencies and accidents
- Ensure local paramedics are highly trained and equipped with advanced lifesaving equipment
- Preserve the existing high level of paramedic response services
Voting Yes continues strict fiscal accountability protections:
- Funds from Measure U may only be used for local paramedic services
- No funds can be taken away by the State, the County or other cities
- All funds are subject to annual audits
- Public disclosure of all spending is required
Nobody knows when a life-threatening accident or emergency will occur. Voting Yes will ensure that paramedics are ready when needed.
Join local firefighters, paramedics, elected leaders, business leaders and residents in voting Yes.
JULIE MCMILLAN
Mayor
ELIZABETH ROBBINS
Mayor Pro Tempore
WILLIAM KIRCHER
Councilmember
TERI DOWLING
Councilmember
MATHEW SALTER
Councilmember
Argument against Measure U
No argument against Measure U was filed.