UKIAH, CA., 9/25/24 – In the Nov. 5 election, Ukiah voters will decide on Measure V, a ballot measure that would authorize a special tax to support services provided by the Ukiah Valley Fire District.
The new tax would join two other taxes supporting the fire department in protecting Ukiah residents. The previous parcel taxes imposed by the Ukiah Valley Fire District were Measure J, a $50 tax passed in 1997 and Measure B, an additional $10 tax passed in 2003.
Measure V would add an annual $33.50 tax to each unit in Ukiah (or $67 for single-family homes) in addition to the already existing Measure J and Measure B taxes. If the measure is approved by voters, the special tax would raise about $987,000 per year for the fire district. On the first day of each year, the tax rate could be increased or decreased based on the Consumer Price Index, but the adjustment rate cannot exceed 2%.
The measure will support the efforts of the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority (UVFA), which is managed jointly by the city of Ukiah and the Ukiah Valley Fire Protection District. This includes managing, equipping, maintaining and operating all-risk fire, emergency medical and rescue services to the city and fire district. The UVFA also serves both the city and unincorporated areas of Ukiah.
The last parcel tax was passed 21 years ago, and according to the Ukiah Valley Fire District, the need for fire protection has increased dramatically. The Measure V outline states that “the district’s ability to adequately fund fire protection and emergency medical services requires additional revenue that is currently not available to the district, including from existing special taxes, the district’s share of ad valorem property taxes and other revenues available.”
According to the fire district’s Measure V fact sheet, all Measure V revenues would be placed in a fund used exclusively for fire protection and emergency medical services in Ukiah and could not be taken by the state. An annual report would ensure that the funds are being spent in accordance with the measure’s intent. Funds would be used for purposes such as hiring and training firefighters, updating safety equipment, and modernizing its four fire stations (two fully staffed) to meet current standards and providing the resources needed for firefighters to protect the city of Ukiah and surrounding unincorporated areas.
“As our community faces growing threats from wildfires and medical emergencies, Measure V is essential to ensuring that our firefighters and paramedics have the resources they need to protect our lives and property,” said 2nd District Supervisor Maureen Mulheren, a supporter of the measure. “The funds raised will stay in Ukiah Valley, supporting local services and upgrading critical equipment so we can meet the increasing demands on our emergency responders.”
No arguments have been submitted against the measure, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
The Mendocino Voice contacted the Ukiah Valley Fire District for comment but did not receive a response before publication.