Pasadena voters could soon decide whether to pay a new property-based tax intended to strengthen local fire protection over the next decade.
Under the measure, improved properties would be assessed at 19 cents per square foot, with the money earmarked for fire facilities, personnel, equipment and emergency communications, reported Pasadena Star-News.
What's happening?
On Monday, August 3, the Pasadena City Council sent the proposed parcel tax to the November ballot in a 7-0 vote. Councilmember Tyron Hampton abstained.
According to city officials, the revenue would pay for a 10-year fire department improvement plan put forward by Fire Chief Chad Augustin.
The city projects the tax would bring in about $22.1 million each year and estimates that the owner of a 1,600-square-foot Pasadena home would pay about $300 annually.
Owners who qualify for senior citizen or disability exemptions would not be taxed. The same would apply to households with annual incomes at or below the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's very low, or 50%, income limit.
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Because ballot measures for the November election must be submitted to Los Angeles County by Friday, August 7, the council acted this week on a proposal that would expire after 14 years and would need a two-thirds vote to pass.
Why does it matter?
The plan would fund fire station modernization, rebuild stations 33 and 37, create a dedicated training center and fire headquarters, improve 911 communications, and add emergency response staffing and equipment.
The council also amended the proposal to include seismic retrofitting for two fire stations.
Speakers opposing the measure, including some tied to realtor associations and the developer industry, said a parcel tax is the wrong way to pay for fire protection because it places the cost on property owners even though the whole city benefits.
What's being done?
City leaders are putting the decision before voters rather than making the change themselves.
The tax's effect on individual properties would depend on building size and exemption eligibility.
Seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income residents could qualify for carveouts.
A 14-year sunset was included in the measure after council members spent much of their discussion weighing whether the tax should end and, if so, how long it should remain in place.
The November election is expected to bring more debate over whether the plan justifies the added annual cost.
"What we're asking the voters to review is our record of service," Mayor Victor Gordo said. "What we're asking them is to look at our plan for continuing that level of service."
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