The following comes from Mill Valley City Councilmember John McCauley, writing as an individual and not in his Councilmember capacity, about Measure C, which is on the March 3rd ballot and proposes to create the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority and to: "support coordinated wildfire prevention including early detection, warning and alerts; reduce vegetation; ensure defensible space around homes, neighborhoods and critical infrastructure; and improve disaster evacuation routes/procedures." If passed, the measure would: levy up to 10¢ per building square foot tax ($75 per multifamily unit or as described in the full measure) for 10 years, providing $19,300,000 annually, with annual inflation adjustments, independent citizen oversight/audits, and low-income senior exemptions, be adopted.
Mill Valley City Councilmember John McCauley. As many of you know, I am a numbers guy and I have looked at this initiative carefully and have found much to like.
The tax of $0.10 per square foot helps with the progressive ability to pay based on home size and there is an exemption for senior citizens based on income level (currently $90K year or less income).
The county is divided into 5 zones and at the 5-year mark there will be a measure to ensure that each zone receives a benefit approximately consistent with what the zone contributed. This ensures that southern Marin is not financing Novato as an example or the other way around. Also the tax expires in 10 years so the voter can reassess the value obtained for the tax.
There is a 10 percent limit on what can be spent on management and overhead. There is adequate infrastructure within the fire force to administer the effort now. What is needed is funding. We are not building another bureaucracy.
The lion's share of taxes collected will be used for inspections, and vegetation management work done by seasonal employees that will not be receiving public pensions or retiree health care. The collaborative partnership is structured to insure it will not incur any unfunded liabilities.
The fire chiefs set priorities, with appropriate oversight and larger projects crossing municipal boundaries are easier to accomplish with a long term $20 Million revenue source. The partnership of 17 cities, towns, fire districts and the county will be governed by existing elected officials from each agency, existing Fire Chiefs, City Managers will provide executive level support and subject matter experts from each agency will guide operational priorities. The land management agencies (National Park Service, County Open Space, State Parks and Marin Municipal Water District) will participate at the Technical Advisory level ensuring coordination and strategic priorities for fuel reduction are met.
The impact of Mount Tamalpias on neighborhoods will be fully addressed. This plan is not to supplant funds allocated for vegetation management on public lands but to enhance and accelerate what is needed to protect against the calamities seen in the North Bay, Paradise and now Australia. This helps protect us all.
Interested in supporting this campaign beyond your vote?
The campaign has produced 18x12 inch signs promoting the initiative. Consider putting one in your business front window. Email John and he will deliver one to you. You can also make a donation to the measure and endorse at the website.
The tax of $0.10 per square foot helps with the progressive ability to pay based on home size and there is an exemption for senior citizens based on income level (currently $90K year or less income).
The county is divided into 5 zones and at the 5-year mark there will be a measure to ensure that each zone receives a benefit approximately consistent with what the zone contributed. This ensures that southern Marin is not financing Novato as an example or the other way around. Also the tax expires in 10 years so the voter can reassess the value obtained for the tax.
There is a 10 percent limit on what can be spent on management and overhead. There is adequate infrastructure within the fire force to administer the effort now. What is needed is funding. We are not building another bureaucracy.
The lion's share of taxes collected will be used for inspections, and vegetation management work done by seasonal employees that will not be receiving public pensions or retiree health care. The collaborative partnership is structured to insure it will not incur any unfunded liabilities.
The fire chiefs set priorities, with appropriate oversight and larger projects crossing municipal boundaries are easier to accomplish with a long term $20 Million revenue source. The partnership of 17 cities, towns, fire districts and the county will be governed by existing elected officials from each agency, existing Fire Chiefs, City Managers will provide executive level support and subject matter experts from each agency will guide operational priorities. The land management agencies (National Park Service, County Open Space, State Parks and Marin Municipal Water District) will participate at the Technical Advisory level ensuring coordination and strategic priorities for fuel reduction are met.
The impact of Mount Tamalpias on neighborhoods will be fully addressed. This plan is not to supplant funds allocated for vegetation management on public lands but to enhance and accelerate what is needed to protect against the calamities seen in the North Bay, Paradise and now Australia. This helps protect us all.
Interested in supporting this campaign beyond your vote?
The campaign has produced 18x12 inch signs promoting the initiative. Consider putting one in your business front window. Email John and he will deliver one to you. You can also make a donation to the measure and endorse at the website.