Measure O | californiachoices.org

My vote

Would authorize $415,000,000 in bonds at legal rates to maintain 911 fire/emergency medical response times, attract/retain qualified professional firefighters/paramedics, support local fire protection, and prevent firefighter exposure to cancer-causing air pollution by upgrading outdated/deteriorating lifesaving equipment, engines/stations.

Fiscal Impact: In order to fund this bond issue over the entire duration of the bond, debt service is $19/$100,000 of assessed property value, through fiscal year 2060-61. This will generate approximately $24,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with annual audits, citizens' oversight and local control. The total debt service that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is $890,000,000.

Next Sacramento County Measure: Measure Q

Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Supporters argue that Measure O will help maintain fire + medical emergency response times, sustain local fire protection, protect natural disaster response + wildfire prevention, support rural fire protection + emergency medical response services, and attract and retain qualified firefighters + paramedics. This is crucial given that over the last 10 years, call volume for medical emergencies has increased by 30% and 40% for fire emergencies.

A YES vote on this measure means: you want the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District to issue bonds in the amount of $415,000,000 to maintain 911 fire and emergency medical response services.

Metro Fire District (Campaign Website)

Con:

Opponents argue that this $415 Million Dollar Bond that will cost you nearly a BILLION DOLLARS with interest and payments to big banks at a cost of $19 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The main concern with this bond is the need to show facility improvements cannot be made from the general fund budget. Also, a list of specifically identified project improvements and their cost to the ratepayers should be detailed. Any registered voter can vote on local general obligation bonds but ONLY PROPERTY OWNERS pay them. However, renters can expect rent increases as the property taxes (that’s how bonds are paid) increase.

A NO vote on this measure means: you do not want the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District to issue these bonds.

In Depth

The District serves a population of over 720,000 who all depend on the District to lend a helping hand in crisis. Measure O will authorize $415,000,000 in bonds at legal rates to maintain 911 fire/emergency medical services. Funded projects will include:

Fire Station Construction, Expansion, and Improvement Projects
Training Facility Construction and Expansion Projects
Fire and Emergency Vehicles, Apparatus, and Equipment Acquisition and Replacement Projects

In order to fund the entire debt service of the bonds, a property tax of $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value will be levied through fiscal year 2060-61. This will generate approximately $24,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with annual audits, citizens' oversight and local control. The total debt service that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is $890,000,000.

Source: Impartial Analysis of Measure O

Voter Resources

Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office