PRESS RELEASE
COPPEROPOLIS
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
MEASURE
C
Statement
of Facts
The Copperopolis
Fire Protection District has placed Measure C on the November Ballot. This Measure is to re-affirm the District’s
Appropriation Limit, also known as the Gann Limit. This ballot measure requirement comes from
legal language that is still in place from the property tax movement of the
late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
MEASURE C IS NOT
AN INCREASE IN TAXES OR FEES
Measure
C is not a new tax. It is simply a re-authorization to allow the Copperopolis
Fire Protection District to spend the revenues from taxes that were already
approved in 1997 and 2002 by more than 2/3 of the voters within the District. Measure C is not a new tax or a tax
increase. By approving Measure C, your
taxes will not be increased in any way, but the Copperopolis Fire Protection
District will be allowed to spend the taxes that have already been approved and
collected. Article XII(b) of the
California State Constitution requires the voters approve this Measure every
four years.
The Gann
Limit prohibits the District from spending tax revenue that equals more than
the approved limit, thus restricting growth, and sometimes reducing tax-funded
programs and services.
If
Measure C is not passed, the Copperopolis Fire Protection District will be
unable to spend some of the tax revenues collected each year. This may mean the loss of the paramedic
services and the potential loss of firefighter positions. As a result, residents might have to wait for
up to 30 minutes for a paramedic response.
MEASURE
C IS NOT A NEW TAX. A YES vote on MEASURE C will allow the Copperopolis Fire
Protection District to spend the tax revenue that you have previously approved
and assist in maintaining the level of protection it provides to the community.
If you have any questions
regarding Measure C, you may contact the Fire Station at 209-785-2393.