At the upcoming June 3 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting, there will be discussion about whether or not to authorize a public opinion poll to determine voter preference on a potential countywide sales tax that would support public safety, emergency response, health care services, and other critical needs in Contra Costa County.
The cost of polling would not exceed $45,000.
According to the Agenda Item, during the sharp fall in real estate values, the County was forced to decrease expenditures in public safety, fire, and emergency medical services even though the need for those services did not decrease. The gradual rebound in property tax revenues has not yet provided enough funding to bring services back to the needed level.
The Board report highlights that in November 2012, Santa Clara County approved a one-eight cent sales tax for 10 years with a 56.61% of the voters to fund a variety of services from law enforcement and public safety to trauma and emergency room as well as programs to help students stay in school.
In November 2012, San Mateo County approved a one-half cent sales tax for 10 years with 65.4% in support to fund services such as fire service, 911 dispatch and emergency room availability for low income children/seniors/disabled.
Meanwhile, Alameda County has dedicated one-half cent sales tax for health which was originally approved by 71.1% in 2004 which specifically funds trauma and emergency medical services throughout the county.
In speaking with Supervisor John Gioia earlier this week, the county could potentially set priorities about where the estimated $40 million to $80 million in additional revenue would be spent depending on the sales tax amount—possibility issuing a resolution about the intent. It should be noted that a resolution is not binding and could be changed at anytime or from year-to-year.
On May 22, Supervisor Gioia issued a statement about a potential sales tax to help keep Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo open—a 189-bed facility facing an $18 million deficit.
Although Supervisors Gioia’s press released focused on funding the hospital, he explained in a phone conversation that a portion of these funds could help special districts such as Contra Costa County Fire, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office amongst other public safety areas in need of a boost in revenue.
Should the Board of Supervisors vote down authorizing funding for polling, the County will not pursue legislation to supplement property tax revenues with locally approved sales taxes in order to fund needed county services.
Click here to read the Agenda Item
14 comments
Why should the entire county pay for doctors Medical Center which serves only West Contra Costa. Further, what assurances are there that the tax revenue will be spent on the promised services since the money will go to the general fund unless passed with 66.66 percent. I do not trust politicians to give them more money then hope they keep their promises. Not getting my support.
It looks like John Gonzales’ suggestion has gained some traction with one of the Supervisors:
https://eastcountytoday.net/letter-fix-our-financially-failing-fire-districts-county-wide/
As I said at the time, I don’t generally favor more taxes, but a county-wide sales tax that would assist EMS funding issues seems reasonable.
Look for Mitchoff and Glover to resist this out of concern for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s plans for a competitive sales tax ballot measure in November. They are CCTA Commissioners after all.
I recall comments posted on this site that suggested such a sales tax was illegal, impossible, and/or ridiculous. Don’t remember the reasoning – it didn’t seem very logical, but I hope those people don’t miss their chance to fully inform the Board of Supervisors! We wouldn’t want the county to violate the law with a new sales tax.
Taxed Man, please stop trying to rewrite history. As I recall your buddy’s suggestion was centered specifically around an fire-EMS tax bailout. That is not what this is. This is all about John Gioia’s lifetime project, which is funding the hospital in WEST county. He’s only attempting to throw you and the rest of the county a scrap in an attempt to get your support. By funneling this tax through the general fund he accomplishes two things; complete control of the money and the threshold to pass it goes from a SUPER majority (66.6 %) to a SIMPLE majority (50.1%). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what his motivation is. John Gioia is not in it to help east county fire, con fire or AMR. He is a selfish little man who has outed himself with this latest move.
Look for Anderson, Piepho, and maybe Glover to push back. Glover and Gioia have long history of backing each other’s BAD ideas, however it is possible that Gioia has gone too far this time even for Glover to jump on board. This won’t be popular in anywhere but West county where a similar tax failed just weeks ago.
BTW- you missed the salient point about the problematic issues with the tax regarding fire districts. The many fire districts in the county, including Con fire, East county fire, San Ramon fire, Pinole fire, Rodeo-Hercules, Richmond fire, Orinda-Moraga fire, etc., are independent special districts-this means they are separate from the county. You might want to look up what independent special district means as it relates to the county and funding mechanisms. Like it or not that is a hurdle your friend John’s tax suggestion-scheme will never clear. So yes, in the suggested context it is “illegal, impossible and ridiculous”.
NO
No, no!, and NO!!
If you were to do a countywide tax for fire service only, it would be illegal because of the different Districts within the County and tax rates. Supervisor Gioia’s proposal is different because it will go into the General Fund and then be distributed.
I hope they call my house in that poll and they will get a very loud NO – This is nothing more that Supervisor Gioia’s scheme to fund the Doctors Hospital District in west county. Heck, the voters there defeated a large parcel tax within the past 30 days!
And no one ran against Supervisor Gioia because?????
It looks like Gioia is incorporating a good idea into his personal agenda. So what as long as everyone gets a piece of the pie. Gioia’s problem is that he needs the state legislature to jog some rules if it’s only his hospital.That takes too long. Everyone is now on the sales tax scheme. if you don’t get yours now forget it. That ship will have sailed. As far as legality is concerned it doesn’t matter. All the self taught and proclaimed legal counsel on this blog are full of themselves. Every day the government including the president makes a law that is questionably legal. The two bit attorneys on this blog couldn’t even pony up a retainer anyway. Who cares if Gioia wants to save his hospital. As long as Piepho and Glover grow some (beep) they just have to make sure part of that 150 million lands in east county. The way I see it the entire thing could fund all east county ambulances through con fire removing some of the burden on our the firefighters. The ECCFPD could also merge and enjoy that sales tax bounty because they have paramedics. House values have risen. The ECCFPD is going to see a small pot of gold over what they thought they were going to get. That should allow the district to squeeze through one more time with the same stations. The pensions will eventually gobble them up one way or another. Increase the ambulance service through con fire with this Gioia sales tax and shazzam!
Okayyyyyyy……..so how do you really feel Chuck? I think we all missed the memo regarding a deficiency of ambulance service….oh wait, like everything else you just made that up.
No worry, by the sound of things you aren’t old enough to vote anyway. Shazzam!
Read betwixt the lines: it’s simple stupid, No more taxes!
The voters have spoken. But of course, you purposely missed that memo.
Grow a brain.
How many more taxes in the name of healthcare and ambulance bills can one stand ? Property tax, measure H, copays for transport. And a now another tax ?
NO THANK YOU
Not until they can learn to live on a budget and open the stations they closed with what they have. NO NO NO
You reaaaaaally don’t have a clue, do you?
You’re paying 25% less in taxes for those services than you were in 2008. But you expect the same level of service despite the increase in costs for delivering them?
I disagree, a sales tax for fire has nothing to do with differing prop 13 tax rates.The county has records of every district dependent or not. Each would receive the prorated portion of the tax generated within their boundaries. Its pretty elementary. Looking on here is doesn’t matter because there is not united support.Therefore its a waste of energy because of the naysayers.
Chuck, you need to understand the fundamentals beginning with the definition of a INDEPENDANT special district (ie; Fire district). In short it means INDEPENDANT frome the County. Ie; this means INDEPENDANT of funding from the county.
This is not my opinion.
Not a comment.
it’s State law….ie. CA Govt code. Look it up or contact LAFCo who regulates state laws locally. If that is not enough, this latest proposal is NOT a “fire tax”. Not even close. .It is John Gioia’s scheme to save his local hospital. Got it? It’s not that difficult to comprehend. The county does NOT fund INDEPENDANT special districts out of the County General fund.
Last time I checked you (an anomous blogger) were not in charge of directing funds to INDEPENDANT special districts or moreover qualified to even suggest it. Your ego is writing checks you cannot cover. Stop now before you embarrass yourself any further.
Beyond that, trying to educate you appears to be a waset of time.
It’s pretty elementary.
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