Measure D: Property tax boost for El Medio Fire Department

Measure D is a property tax to boost funding for the El Medio Fire Department.

- mesaure 'd' is on the ballot it is a property tax to boost funding for the "el (ma-dee-o) medio" fire department - which servces abour 6- thousand people.

For single- family-home owners - it would mean an increase of $60 per year in property tax.

The department provides a quick emergency response for people in the area.'

But operates on a shoestring budget.

Action news now spoke to one member of the board of directors who says if measure d fails to pass..

The fire station is likely in jeopardy interview 00:32 "it's just a measure to cover payroll.

Covers the expense of the vehicles, station, every thing that goes with it.

Pg&e, gas, insurance, workers compensatoin insurance, our insurance premiums, and dispatch from the city.

Those things take a big chunk."

El (ma-dee-o) medio fire fighters earn a little above minimum wage.

Action news now also spoke with one home owner -- who didn't want to go on camera -- who says people in that community already pay for measure b, it passed in 2008, also a $60-dollar per year tax, which has since incresed to 73- dollars because it's allowed to increase three percent each year.

That is in addition to a 1980 voter- approved 60- dollar tax, also still in place.

All told... home- owners are now paying about $133 dollars per year for el medio.

Measure d, if it passes, would add 60 dollars to that amount.

An* would also be subject to a three-percent annual increase.

It requires a two- thirds majority to pass.### two teen