Madera voters will decide sales tax hike for public safety
The measure will go to voters in a
The supervisors wanted the issue on the November ballot. But because of all the propositions and other issues on the presidential ballot, supervisors moved the proposed sales-tax hike to March so it can get more attention.
"We thought we should stand alone to educate people about what this is," Supervisor
The sales tax would rise from
The sales tax will raise
Eighty percent of the revenues will pay for additional firefighters, fires stations, improved equipment, fire trucks and doubling the budget for the paid-call firefighters by providing funding for training and fire clothing.
The firefighting money will pay for new firefighters and engines in three new stations. Sites being considered are the Fairmead/
The remaining 20 percent will pay for seven additional
A half-cent sales tax was considered, but supervisors didn't think it would meet all the needs of the county.
"The ideal funding would be another
"All you have to do is look up at the
Supervisors say they don't know if additional firefighters and stations will lead to lower insurance rates because of improved response times, but without moving ahead on a tax measure there would be no chance for premiums to drop.
"Not doing anything is not an option," Supervisor
In addition, he said, nine extra deputies will improve response times and officer safety.
Supervisor
"There is no other way to increase the protection that we're offering but this measure," he said. "Our first obligation is to take care of our citizens. It's the responsible thing to do."
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