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Smart Voter
San Diego County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Proposition P
Emergency Services
Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District
Majority Approval Required

Fail: 585 / 46.14% Yes votes ...... 683 / 53.86% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions
Information shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments |

Shall Ordinance 2014-1 to replace the annual Benefit Fee approved by voters on November 6

Summary Prepared by County Counsel:
This proposition was placed on the ballot by the governing board of the Julian Cuyamaca Fire District ("District"). If approved by two-third of the voters voting on the proposition, this proposition would establish an annual special tax on all taxable property within the District.

Amount of the Tax

If two-thirds of the qualified electors voting on this measure vote for approval, the special tax will be imposed annually as follows: Parcels with an existing structure (Unit) dwelling or commercial:

  • Every parcel with 1 Unit: $197.00
  • Every parcel with 2-4 Units: $293.00
  • Every parcel with more than 4 Units: $500.00

Separate parcels attached to a parcel containing a Unit will be considered Vacant Land. Vacant Land with no Units:

  • Every parcel containing zero to .99 acres: $9.50
  • Every parcel containing 1-5 acres: $16.00
  • Every parcel containing 5.1-10 acres: $29.00
  • Every parcel containing more than 10 acres: $43.00

Any owner of a single-family residential unit whose combined family income is at or below "very low-income" may qualify for an exemption from the special tax if that property owner: (1) occupies the parcel as a primary residence, (2) qualifies as a "very low-income" household according to federal regulations and (3) submits a petition that is accepted by the District. Any exempted property owner shall be taxed at $50.00 per parcel.

Purpose and Use of Special Tax Revenue

The revenue raised by the special tax will be deposited in an account that will only be used to pay for operating expenses, capital improvements and debt repayment to ensure continued local fire protection, fire prevention and emergency response services within the District. Each year an annual report will be prepared that contains the amount of revenue collected and expended and the status of any project or use authorized for funds.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote on this measure means:
A "YES" vote is a vote in favor of the special tax.

A NO vote on this measure means:
A "NO" vote is a vote against the special tax

  
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Arguments For Proposition P Arguments Against Proposition P
The Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD) was established in 1984. In order to finance the district the citizens of Julian and Cuyamaca voted to pay a fee of fifty dollars per parcel. Thirty years later the JCFPD is still operating on 1984 revenue. A fee increase is long overdue. Many changes have taken place in the thirty years since the district was created. The cost of living has increased dramatically but in addition many changes have taken place in the needs and responsibilities of fire fighters. These include new requirements for training, higher standards for equipment and the need for faster response times. As stated on the proposed ordinance: "Specifically, the special benefit tax shall be imposed for the purpose of staffing the District with paid firefighter-paramedics. These personnel will provide the District with one firefighter-paramedic on duty 24-hours and 7-days a week, creating faster response times and raising the level of public safety in the event of a fire or medical emergency."

Thus approval of the proposed fee will be to:

  • Raise the level of service and stature of the JCFPD
  • Provide up-to-date training and equipment
  • Enable a fully staffed and equipped engine to be out the door in less than one minute

The current revenue received by the district is not enough to maintain the current level of service, let alone provide for needed upgrades. The citizens of Julian and Cuyamaca deserve a level of service comparable to the majority of other communities within San Diego County. And our brave volunteers, on whom the district will continue to rely, deserve the training and equipment needed for their safety and survival.

RONALD E. BROWN

LESTER L. TURNER

REBECCA DUPLISSEY LUERS
C.P.A.

MARIE J. HUTCHINSON

JAMES C. BAKER

No arguments against Proposition P were submitted.

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Created: July 23, 2015 14:58 PDT
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