HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2008-136 EMS Levy Special Election; February 3, 2009; Emergency Medical ServicesRESOLUTION NO. R-2008-136
A RESOLUTION concerning a City of Yakima dedicated Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) Levy; providing for submittal to the electors of the
City of Yakima, Washington, on the February 3, 2009 special
election, a measure to authorize a City of Yakima dedicated EMS
Levy of up to 25 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property
valuation, the generated revenue to be used to fund additional
firefighters, purchase a fire engine and equipment, implement a
nontransport Firefighter/Paramedic program, and fund an
additional emergency dispatcher, thereby enhancing fire
protection and emergency medical services or care as authorized
by RCW 84.52.069.
WHEREAS, the rising call volume and the decline in Firefighters per capita
have diminished the Yakima Fire Department's ability to respond to emergencies over
the past ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Washington Survey and Ratings Bureau (WSRB) is an
organization tasked with rating the performance, such as response time and staffing
levels, of Washington State Fire Departments and their ratings do affect insurance
premiums; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima Fire Department has the distinction of receiving the
poorest rating from the WSRB for a fully paid professional fire department among
comparable sized cities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 84.52.069 the City of Yakima may ask the voters
for authority to levy a property tax of up to 50 cents per thousanddollars of assessed
valuation to support emergency medical services and emergency medical care; and
WHEREAS, a City of Yakima dedicated 25 cents per thousand dollars of
assessed property valuation EMS Levy is estimated to generate 1.3 Million dollars per
year; and
WHEREAS, the revenue generated by a voter approved EMS Levy would be
used to hire 12 new firefighters and 1 new emergency dispatcher, purchase an
additional fire engine and equipment, and phase-in a "Paramedic Engine" program; and
WHEREAS, a permanent EMS Levy will provide the stable funding needed to
meet the current and future City of Yakima demands for emergency medical services;
and
WHEREAS, by approval of this resolution, the Yakima City Council authorizes
the City Manager to place on the February 3, 2009 Special Election ballot a measure
requesting voter authorization for a City of Yakima dedicated EMS levy in an amount up
to a 25 cents per thousand of assessed property value to fund emergency medical care
and emergency medical services as authorized in RCW 84.52.069; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City
of Yakima to request voter authorization for a City dedicated EMS Levy; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. The City Council approves an up to 25 cents per thousand dollars.
of assessed valuation EMS Levy be submitted to the electors of the City of Yakima,
Washington, on a February 3, 2009 Special Election ballot.
Section 2. The Yakima County Auditor is hereby requested to place the City
dedicated EMS Levy Authorization on the February 3, 2009 ballot in substantially the
following form:
CITY OF YAKIMA
EMS LEVY AUTHORIZATION
The Yakima City Council passed Resolution
No. 2008-_ concerning a City Dedicated EMS Levy.
This proposition would authorize the City of Yakima to
impose regular property tax levies of up to twenty-five
cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation
(.25/1,000.00), beginning January 1, 2010. The proceeds
generated bythe levy will be used to fund additional
firefighters, fire engines and equipment, implement a
nontransport Firefighter/Paramedic program, and fund an
additional emergency dispatcher, thereby enhancing
emergency medical care or emergency medical services,
pursuant to RCW 84.52.069. Should this proposition be
approved?
LI Yes -EMS Levy
❑ No -EMS Levy
Section 3. The City Manager of the City of Yakima is hereby directed to
provide a copy of this resolution and any other necessary paperwork or fees to the
Yakima County Auditor for submission to the electors of the City of Yakima in
conjunction with a February 3, 2009 Special Election.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 7th day of October, 2008.
David Edler, Mayor
City Clerk
CITY OF YAKIMA
• LEGAL
DEPARTMENT
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200 South Third Street, Yakima, WA 98901-2830 (Phone) 509-575-6033 (Fax) 509-575-6160
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: COVERED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT
AND ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT PRIVILEGES
MEMORANDUM
October 2, 2008
T
David_ Edler, Honorable Mayor
Yakima City Council Members
Dick Zais, City Manager
FROM: Cynthia Martinez, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: EMS Levy question
Councilwoman Coffey raised a question at the EMS Levy Study
Session as to whether the City Council could take action, without voter
approval, to either reduce the amount or revoke an EMS levy in the
future. I answered that it was my belief that the City Council could take
such action. At Councilwoman Coffey's request, I have researched this
issue and consulted with Bob Meinig at the Municipal Research Service
Center.
RCW 84.52.069 requires the imposition of an EMS levy be
authorized by the voters. There is no statute or case law on point
regarding the process to reduce or revoke a voter approved levy. While
voter approval is necessary for the imposition or increase of an EMS levy,
it is not necessary for the reduction or revocation of the authorized
amount. As the legislative body representing the citizens of the City of
Yakima, the Yakima City Council may take such action in the form of a
Resolution. It was Bob Meinig's position that such a Resolution would
have to be passed on a yearly basis.
cc. Charlie Hines
Jeff Cutter
cim/EMS levy final.doc
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. q
For Meeting of October 7, 2008
ITEM TITLE: A resolution concerning a City of Yakima dedicated EMS Levy; providing
for submittal to the electors of the City of Yakima, Washington, on the February 3, 2009
Special Election ballot, a measure to authorize a City of Yakima dedicated EMS Levy of
up to 25 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property valuation, the generated
revenue to be used to fund additional firefighters, purchase.a fire engine and equipment,
implement a nontransport Firefighter/Paramedic program, and fund an additional
emergency dispatcher, thereby enhancing fire protection services and emergency
medical care or services as authorized by RCW 84.52.069.
SUBMITTED BY: Chief Charlie Hines
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Charlie Hines, Fire Chief, 576-6747
Cynthia Martinez, Senior Assistant City Attorney,
575-6031
SUMMARY EXPLANATION: In the past 10 years, the Yakima Fire Department (YFD)
has seen a 62% increase in call volume and a decrease in firefighters per capita resulting
4. in longer response times and a lack of firefighter staff to respond to all 911 calls. These
challenges led to a rating of 4 by the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB).
Yakima is the largest City in the State with a fully paid professional fire department to
receive such a poor rating.
Pursuant to RCW 84.52.069 cities may ask for voter authority to levy a property tax
of up to 50 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation to support emergency
medical services and/or emergency medical care. On August 6, 2008 the public Safety
Committee of the Yakima City Council voted unanimously to recommend }hat the City
Council take action to place an EMS Levy measure on the February 3, 2009 Special
Election ballot.
Continued on next page...
Resolution X Ordinance Other (Specify)
Contract Mail to (name and address):
Phone:
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL:`, City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
IP COUNCIL ACTION:
Summary Explanation Continued:
At the September 18, 2008 City Council Study Session regarding the EMS Levy, a
majority of the City Council directed staff to prepare a resolution placing a City dedicated,
up to 25 cent per thousand of valuation, EMS Levy on the February 3, 2009 ballot.
The money generated from the EMS Levy will be used to correct the current YFD
shortfall. The proceeds will fund 12 new firefighter positions, an additional emergency
dispatcher position, an additional fire engine and equipment, and a pilot "Paramedic
Engine" program. The staffing and equipment will allow for two additional fire engines in-
service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the "Paramedic Engine" program will place a
paramedic firefighter on every neighborhood fire engine. An approved EMS Levy will
allow YFD to respond to all 911 calls for help, reduce response times, improve
emergency pre -hospital care, and raise the WSRB rating. A higher WSRB rating should
reduce fire insurance rates for citizens and business owners in the City of Yakima.
Maintaining and improving public heath and safety is one of the Yakima City
Council's top strategic priorities. If approved by the voters, the proceeds of this EMS
Levy will be used improve emergency medical care and emergency medical services in
the City of Yakima.
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