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Home My WebLink About10-003 EMS Levy2esalution 10-003 Emergency Medico[ Services Lev~~ Lid Lif! Page 1 of 4 RESOLUTION NO. 10-003 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES LEVY LID LIFT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON RELATING TO THE EXISTING EMS LEVY; PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD WITHIN THE CITY ON APRIL 27, 2010, OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO LEVY ITS EMS PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN AN AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITATIONS OF CHAPTER 84.55 RCW; SETTING FORTH THE TEXT OF THE BALLOT PROPOSITION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CERTIFY TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO WHEREAS, voters of City of Port Townsend (the "City") previously approved a permanent EMS Levy pursuant to RCW 84.52.069, at a maximum rate not to exceed $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the City; and WHEREAS, although the EMS Levy is permanent, the annual levy amount is subject to the amount increase limitations set forth in chapter 84.55 RCW, and the levy rate is affected by changes in the assessed valuation of the City; and WHEREAS, the City has been notified by the Jefferson County Assessor that as the result of the reassessments of properties located within the City, the City's actual EMS levy rate as limited by chapter 84.55 RCW for 2010 collections is $0.27963 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is essential and necessary for the protection of the health and safety of the residents of the City that emergency medical services be provided within the City, and that the City currently provides such services via contract with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue, which contract requires pay~rnents in excess of those which can be provided by the existing revenues of the City available for this purpose, if subject to the limitations of chapter 84.55 RCW; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend as follows: Section 1. Findines and Determinations. The City Council hereby makes the following findings and determinations: 1.1 In order to provide emergency medical services, it is necessary that the following functions be carried out: Resolution 10-003 Emergency Medical Services Levy Lid Lift Page 2 of 4 1.1.1 Obtain, operate and maintain emergency medical vehicles and facilities staffed by properly trained emergency technicians and/or paramedics and other medically trained personnel. 1.1.2 Obtain consumable medical supplies and medical appliances to equip such personnel, vehicles, and facilities. 1.1.3 Maintain existing response levels to EMS emergencies with qualified personnel. 1.2 In order to provide the revenue adequate to pay the costs of providing adequate life protection services and facilities as described in Section 1.1 and to maintain reserve funds sufficient to assure the continuation of such services, the City relies upon revenues from its voter-approved EMS Levy, under the authority of RCW 84.52.069. ] .3 RCW 84.55.050(1) provides that regular property taxes (including the EMS Levy) may be levied in an amount exceeding the limitations otherwise specified in chapter 84.55 RCW if such increased levy is approved by a majority of the voters at general or special election held within the taxing district (a "levy lid lift"). 1.4 Due to the ]imitations of chapter 84.55 RCW, the City's EMS Levy rate has dropped from the initially voter-approved $0.50/$1,000 assessed valuation to $0.27963/$1,000 assessed valuation (fox collection in 2010), and the City desires to restore the EMS Levy to the previously voter approved maximum rate of $0.50/$1,000 for collection in 2011 by submission of this levy lid lift. 1.5 The proposed levy rate of $0.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation is estimated to produce approximately $742,120 in revenues, which shall be used only to pay the costs (including costs payable under contract with a fire protection district) for the provision of emergency medical services, including the costs related to required personnel paining for such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles, and structures needed for the provision of emergency medical services. The City Council therefore fmds that it is in the best interests of the City to submit to the qualified voters of the City, at a special election on April 27, 2010, a proposition authorizing the City to increase its regular EMS Levy for collection in 2011 by an amount greater than otherwise permitted under chapter 84.55 RCW for EMS purposes, as described in Section 3, below. If this proposition is approved, the City will be authorized to adopt, in accordance with its regular budget process, an increased regular EMS Levy not to exceed the rate approved by this ballot proposition. Section 2. Purpose and Description of Ballot Proposition. For the purpose identified below, the City seeks voter approval under RCW 84.55.050(]) for a levy lid lift, as follows: Resolution 10-003 Emergency Medical Services Leig~ Lid Lift Page 3 of 4 2.1 Purpose. The amounts collected pursuant to the increase authorized shall be used solely for the provision of emergency medical services, including the costs related to required personnel training for such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles. and structures needed for the provision of emergency medical services, in accordance with RCW 84.52.069. 2.2 Levy Rate Authorized. The proposition would restore the City's EMS Levy rate to a maximum of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2011. This represents an incremental increase in the regular property tax rate of 8238% (or $335,220), over the cm-rent year's levy rate. The dollar amount levied for collection in 2011 shall be used for the purpose of computing the limitations on subsequent levies under ch. 84.55 RCW. In the event that the City is annexed into the fire protection district, the City shall cease imposing the EMS levy when the fire protection district's EMS levy is levied within the City. Section 3. Callin¢ of Election and Ballot Proposition. The City hereby requests the Auditor of Jefferson County, as Ex-officio Supervisor of Elections, to call and conduct a special election to be held on April 27, 2010, and to submit to the voters of the City the following proposition in the form substantially as follows: PROPOSITION 1 Citv of Port Townsend AUTHORIZING RESTORATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROPERTY TAX LEVY The City Council of the City of Port Townsend has adopted Resolution 10-003, concerning restoration of the EMS Levy previously approved by voters. If approved, Proposition I would restore the City's EMS Levy rate to $0.50/$1,000 for collection in 2011, and would use such levy amount to compute limitations for subsequent years under ch. 84.55 RCW. It would expire if a fire district EMS levy were imposed on City residents. Revenues would be used solely for emergency medical services, including costs of personnel training and related equipment, supplies, vehicles, and structures for emergency medical services, in accordance with RCW 84.52.069. Should this proposition be: _ Approved? _ Rejected? Section 4. Notices Relatine to Ballot Proposition. For purposes of receiving notice of the exact language of the ballot proposition required by RCW 29A.36.080, the City hereby designates the City Attorney as the individual to whom such notice should be provided. Section 5. Authorization to Deliver Resolution and Perform Other Necessary Duties. The Clerk of the City is authorized and directed, no later than March 12, 2010, to certify a copy of this resolution Resolution /U-003 Emergency Medical Services Levy Lid L~ ('uge 4 of 4 to the Auditor and to perform such other duties as axe necessary or required by law to the end that the proposition described herein should appear on the ballot at the special election to be held on Apri127, 2010. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a special meeting thereof, held this eighth day of March 2010. Attest: ~ ~ ~ ~j `L' ~~iYYUt~~~ ~/~r't-ems Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk Michelle Sandoval, Mayor Approved as to form: _~ John P. Watts City Attorney