Lakeport Fire District

Current Agenda

February 2020 Agenda

Measure M Facts

Why is measure M necessary for the Fire District and my safety?

Measure M will restore firefighting and emergency response staffing to safe and adequate levels to the city and unincorporated areas of Lakeport through a parcel tax increase necessary for providing essential emergency services to the community.

When was the last time the fire district had a tax increase?

The tax was first created and passed by voters in March 1997. In the 22 years since its inception, there has never been an increase. In 2018, the district responded to over 3000 emergency calls, which is over 3 times the amount of the 938 calls in 1997, the year the current tax was approved.

How will the community benefit if voters pass measure M?

If Measure M passes, funding will allow the hiring of recently laid off firefighters/paramedic personnel restoring safety and critical emergency services the community deserves. Full staffing will result in reduced response times, saving lives and property.

What happens if Measure M does not pass?

Critical emergency and medical response times will be delayed during multiple emergencies. ISO(Insurance Services Office) ratings will rise due to inadequate staffing. The ISO creates ratings for fire departments and their surrounding communites. The ratings calculate how well-equipped fire departments are to put out fires in the community. In 2020, the ISO will be assessing the Lakeport Fire District. At the current staffing, homeowners and business owners' insurance rates will be increased, if not denied.

What percentage of votes is required to pass Measure M?

The measure must receive a 66.7% YES vote to pass.

What is a unit of benefit, and how much will the total tax cost me?

Units of benefit, or benefit units, are used to "rate" the benefit a particular parcel receives from having fire protection and emergency medical service from the Lakeport Fire Protection District. As such, developed property receives more benefit, and this has more units assigned than underdeveloped property. The proposed Unit of Benefit cost will be $6.14 per Unit of Benefit. See the following tables for the Total Tax Yearly Costs.

RESIDENTIAL YEARLY COST
Single Family Home	30 units per home	$184.20/year
Mobile Home	30 units per mobile	$184.20/year
Duplex	30 units per living unit	$184.20/year
Multi-Family or Apartments	15 units per living unit	$92.10/year

VACANT LAND YEARLY COST
Vacant 0-5 Acres	10 units per parcel	$61.40/year
5.01-10 Acres	15 units per parcel	$92.10/year
10+ Acres	20 units per parcel	$122.80/year

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/INSTITUTIONAL YEARLY COST
0-999 Building Sq. Ft.	50 Units	$307.00/year
1,000 - 4,999 Building Sq. Ft.	75 Units	$460.50/year
5,000 - 9,999 Building Sq. Ft.	100 Units	$614.00/year
10,000+ Building Sq. Ft.	150 Units	$921.00/year

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE UNITS, THE FOLLOWING EXTRA UNITS APPLY TO COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTIES YEARLY COST
More than one business in a building	75 Units per additional business	$460.50/year

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Lakeport Fire District

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