November 5, 2024 - Measure Q

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL OF MEASURE Q

STINSON BEACH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT

MEASURE Q

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District.

Article XIIIB of the California Constitution restricts governmental spending of tax proceeds by setting an annual spending limit, also known as an appropriations limit. The Constitution authorizes voters to change this spending limit for a maximum period of four years at a time. The District Board of Directors has placed Measure Q on the ballot to submit to the voters the question of whether the current appropriations limit should continue for another four years.

If approved, this measure would continue the District’s authority to spend tax revenue received. This authority would continue through fiscal year 2028-29 and would allow the District to continue meeting its current operating costs, which are more than the limits otherwise allowed under the constitutional limit. If this measure fails, the District’s current spending limits will be reduced, which would reduce the funds available to continue the District’s current levels of service. Measure Q itself does not authorize the District to impose a new assessment or increase any property tax rate.

s/BRIAN WASHINGTON
County Counsel

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Q

Measure Q is not an increase in taxes.

Measure Q authorizes the District to expend the tax dollars Stinson Beach voters already have approved. Measure Q has no effect on the tax rate. A YES vote will NOT raise taxes.

A NO vote will not reduce taxes.

A YES vote simply increases the District’s appropriations to equal the existing tax revenue. This enables the District to pay for fire protection and ambulance services.

If Measure Q fails, the District budget will have to be cut back by a significant amount.

Measure Q expires automatically in four years and must be resubmitted to the voters.

OUR TAX DOLLARS PROVIDE FOR NEEDED SERVICES.

STINSON BEACH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

MARK A. WHITE
President, Board of Directors

JAMES RITCHIE
Vice President, Board of Directors

JEFFREY WALSH
District Director

ROB GUIDI
District Director

SEAN GREENE
District Director

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE Q

No argument against Measure Q was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE Q

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-9

RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE STINSON BEACH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
CALLING FOR AN ELECTION BE HELD IN ITS JURISDICTION: ESTABLISHING A DATE FOR ELECTION; ADOPTING INTENDED BALLOT LANGUAGE: ORDERING THE CONSOLIDATION OF SAID ELECTION; REQUESTING ELECTION SERVICES BY THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS

WHEREAS, in November 1979, Proposition 4 (the GANN Initiative) was approved, which added Article XIII B to the State constitution, placing limits on the amount of revenue that all government entities may spend; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of that Article establish maximum limitations, commonly called “Gann Limits”, for public agencies; and

WHEREAS, the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District must establish a Gann limit in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII B; and

WHEREAS, it is the determination of the Board of Directors of the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District that a measure should be submitted to the voters pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution; and

WHEREAS, said measure must be approved by a simple majority of the voters voting thereon.

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Board of Directors hereby calls an Election to be held on November 5, 2024, at which the issue to be presented shall be:

Increase Appropriations Limit

Shall the appropriations limit established for the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution is adjusted to include the combined total of all revenue Sources for the fiscal years 2023-2024 through 2024-2029 in order to continue funding for the fire protection and ambulance services Provided by the District?

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin is hereby requested to:

1. Consolidate said election with any other applicable election on the same day; and
2. Authorize and direct the Registrar of Voters, at Stinson Beach Fire Protection District expense to provide all necessary election services and to canvass the results of said election.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District held on the 29th day of July, 2024, by the following vote:

AYES: 5
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0

ATTEST:

s/MARK WHITE
President of the Board

s/CAREY CROSBY
Board Clerk