(Require to Pass: 2/3 of votes cast)

MEASURE L INCREASED FUNDING FOR FIRE EMERGENCY SERVICES.
To prevent threatening delays in emergency and fire fighting response and lowering the staffing of firefighters of the District fire station, shall the District increase the special tax by $22.60 per year which equates to $1.88 per month for a single unit dwelling and which shall increase annually thereafter in the same percentage as the Consumer Price Index, thus maintaining a full strength local fire department that insures rapid emergency response, protection of lives and property?

Section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, and Government Code section 50075 authorize a special district to impose a special tax upon two-thirds vote of the qualified electors in the district.

The Woodlake Fire Protection District proposes to authorize an increase in the existing annual special tax on the secured tax roll commencing in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The tax allocation per parcel will be the same allocation as used by the District under its existing tax. The tax increase for a parcel with a single unit dwelling will equate to an increase of $22.60 per year. The tax may be adjusted each fiscal year in accordance with the average increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the previous two year period, but the District may levy the tax in an amount which is less than the maximum amount authorized. The special tax shall be fixed and collected in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are fixed and collected under provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

The measure’s stated purpose is to preserve the existing equipment and staff levels in the District for emergency response, fire protection, fire fighting, and hazardous materials services.

The measure makes no change to existing law. The electors entitled to vote on this measure are the registered voters within the boundaries of the District. If the measure is not approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast on the measure, the measure will fail and the special tax will not be implemented.

KATHLEEN BALES-LANGE

Tulare County Counsel

Deputy County Counsel

Woodlake Fire District is currently funded through a fire tax, and a fire assessment on properties within the boundaries of the District, The high cost of Compensation insurance, and Liability insurance, plus high cost of fuels has hinder, Woodlake Fire District budget, today we are operating at a $30,000 deficit, and this is not healthy, for private or local government, this assessment increase is necessary to maintain current level of services. The highly trained and dedicated District personnel responds to literally hundreds of calls for fire suppression, medical aids, traffic accidents, and community assistance on a daily basis, and theirs never a fee for their services.

The propose assessment increase for a single family residence will cost $22.60 annually or $1.80 per month, or, 06 cents per day, small price to maintain current services as they are today.

District staffing includes a fire chief, in charge of administration and fire suppression, a captain and one fire apparatus engineer, all have first duty fire suppression and other duties, additionally the District has 16 volunteer firefighters who respond to emergency calls when needed, The District is staffed 24 hours 7 day’s a week, responding to fires, medical calls, medical assistance calls, traffic accidents and other emergencies.

This community is growing at a steady rate, as a special District, the fire department does not receives funding from the City of Woodlake, or Tulare County general fund. Woodlake Fire is an entity in it self govern by board of Commissioners.

Our success in life & property savings record, is excellent, been here 24/7 and be ready on a moments notice make a difference, good equipment and dedicated personnel, paid a volunteer help.

s/ Jose Perez, Fire Chief