Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Bond Issue, Measure Z (May 2015)

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Measure info Amount: $10.65 million Matures in: 30 years Tax: $9.85 per $100,000 value

A Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Bond Issue was on the ballot for Carpinteria-Summerland fire district voters in Santa Barbara County, California, on May 5, 2015. Final, official election results showed Measure Z behind the required 55-percent approval by a margin of just 25 votes, which means voters narrowly defeated the measure.

If approved, Measure Z would have authorized the district to increase its debt by up to $10.65 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount and imposing additional property taxes to repay the principal and interest of the bond issue.

The bond money was earmarked to be used to construct a new fire station, make upgrades to increase earthquake safety at district fire stations and purchase emergency response equipment, with a new fire station and upgrades to earth quake safety as the number-one priorities. The debt would have had to be fully repaid in a maximum of 30 years. The estimated tax rate required to repay these bonds would have amounted to $9.85 for each $100,000 of assessed property value.

Supporters argued that the fire stations in the district were too old and not safe from earthquakes or other natural disasters. They further argued that stations must be repaired or replaced to ensure emergency services remained available during a natural disaster when people need them most. They also pointed out that the bond money would allow the construction of training facilities, removing the necessity of out-of-district training and keeping more of the district's firefighters in the area at all times.

Opponents argued that the bond issue proposed was larger than necessary. They argued that the new $4.8 million station proposed for Summerland was twice as large as needed, designed to house eight firefighters, when no more than four operated out of the station. They also argued that the other plans for the bond money were too undefined, leaving room for waste and inefficiency.

A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Measure Z.

Election results

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District, Measure Z
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		1,501	45.76%
Yes		1,779	54.24%

Election results from San Bernardino County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire/Emergency Service Facilities Improvement Measure. To improve local fire stations, provide prompt response times to 9-1-1 medical emergencies, maintain high quality local fire protection/prevention services, acquire, construct, upgrade, rebuild, repair/equip life-saving fire protection facilities/sites/emergency equipment, make Carpinteria and Summerland fire stations earthquake safe, shall Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District issue $10,650,000 in bonds at legal rates, with citizens' oversight, annual audits, no money for administrators' salaries, and all money staying local? (quote)

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure Z was prepared by the office of the county counsel:

“	Measure Z was placed on the ballot by the governing board of the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. Article XIII A Section 1(a) of the California Constitution limits the ad valorem tax on real property to not exceed one percent (1%) of the full cash value of such property. Article XIII A Section 1(b) of the California Constitution provides an exception to this limitation for bonded indebtedness incurred for the acquisition or improvement of real property approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by the voters voting on the proposition. This Measure, if approved, would authorize the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District to authorize the sale of general obligation bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $10,650,000. The Measure says that bond funds could be used for fire protection "facilities/sites/emergency equipment" and further states that: Bond Priority Project #1 is to "[r]ebuild or construct earthquake safe fire stations in Summerland and Carpinteria;" and Bond Priority Project #2 is to "[a]cquire necessary equipment needed to save lives in medical emergency." California Constitution Article XIII A, however, limits the use of these bond funds to the acquisition or improvement of real property, including only that equipment affixed to land or to a building. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds may not be used for administrator salaries or other operating expenses. The bonds and interest thereon would be payable from property taxes levied on taxable property in the District. These taxes would be in addition to the property taxes currently levied on taxpayers in the District. The interest rate on the bonds could not exceed the statutory limit of 12% per annum. The amount of the increased taxes each year would depend upon the amount needed to pay the principal and interest on the bonds. The period for full repayment of the bonds may not exceed 30 years. Measure Z does not propose to amend or add to existing law. (quote)	”
—Michael C. Ghizzoni, Santa Barbara County Counsel

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official argument in support of this measure:

• Richard Weinberg, former mayor & city council member
• Craig Price, attorney and former CSFPD Board Member
• Suzanne Perkins, Summerland resident
• Louis J. Panizzon, retired educator and former CSFPD Board Member
• Sally D. Green, retired education administration

Arguments in favor

Ben Miller, a past president of the district’s board of directors, said, “The station in Summerland is nearly 100 years old and wholly inadequate. From a size perspective, it was built at a time when we didn’t have modern engines and it doesn’t even house the size of engines that are appropriate now. It’s seismically unsound and there’s so much deferred maintenance that it’s at a point it outlived its usefulness. It’s served us well, but now it’s time to move on.”

Michael Mingee, the fire departments chief, said, “The district has been successful in maintaining staffing levels, response times and excellent service delivery. We’ve even been able to lease a new fleet of fire trucks. However, our stations, which are critical to our delivery of service, just have been overlooked for decades to the point that it’s a critical issue.”

Official arguments

The following was submitted as the official argument in support of this measure:

“	The strength of any community lies in the support infrastructure in provides in times of need. The Carpinteria Summerland Fire Protection District needs your support right now to fund facilities and equipment improvements that have been neglected for years. Numerous official documents, including a 2001 Grand Jury report, have identified the fire stations of CSFPD to be among the least safe and incapable of surviving a significant natural disaster. Station 2 in Summerland is nearly 100 years old, while Station 1 in Carpinteria is 53 years old. Both are beyond the typical 50-year lifespan, and neither has been deemed seismically sound. When a disaster occurs, first responders must mobilize quickly to preform their jobs. If the station that houses these responders is one of the first buildings to collapse, how can we expect to get the response we urgently need? In addition to improving the buildings themselves, a Yes vote on Measure Z allows the District to build training apparatus at Station 1. This will guarantee the emergency personnel can receive critical skill training within our area instead of traveling outside the District. Since over 70% of emergency calls are medical, non-fire events, keeping out first responders local helps ensure that we maintain our six-minute critical response time. Your Yes vote will provide the funding to upgrade our buildings, facilities and equipment and secure the assurance of a quality, prompt response from out firefighters. Passage of Measure Z means a $9.85 tax for each $100,000 of assessed property value, with none of the bond fund proceeds going towards personnel or administrative costs. Please join me to Support Area Vital Emergency Services with a Yes vote on Measure Z. (quote)	”
—Richard Weinberg, Craig Price, Suzanne Perkins, Louis J. Panizzon and Sally D. Green

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official argument in opposition to this measure:

• Lucita B. Hromadka
• Betty M. Brown
• Elida C.
• Robert M. Omstein, Esq.
• Mitch Morehart

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official argument in opposition to this measure:

“	This $10.65 million bond measure will not improve response times or increase fire protection. We all want to maintain prompt response times for fire and medical emergencies, have well equipped fire fighters, and earthquake safe fire stations. However, this bond measure is too costly and there are still too many unanswered questions about future plans. The proposed $4.8 million new station in Summerland is one block away from the existing station. This will not change response times. The proposed station is much larger than necessary, including a training and community center meeting room. News reports say it will house 8 on-duty firefighters. There are currently 3 or 4 firefighters stationed in Summerland and no plans for funds to hire more firefighters. Are they planning to move firefighters from Carpinteria? A smaller station in Summerland would be more appropriate and less costly. Officials claim the bond will give them an additional $5 million to repair the Carpinteria station, which services the majority of district residents. However there is no existing plan or reliable cost estimate for this work, or requirement that the funds be spent on the Carpinteria station. Last February, the Ad Hoc Citizen's Advisory Committee recommended that the scope of the Carpinteria Fire Station remodel be better defined for the voters. This has still not been done. We support out fire service, but if you vote yes, you are authorizing the district to sell bonds at "legal rates" of up to 12% per annum for 30 years. Please join us in voting No on Measure Z2015, until the projects are fully defined and correctly sized for our community's needs now and in the future.	”
—Lucita B. Hromadka, Betty M. Brown, Elida C., Robert M. Omstein, Esq. and Mitch Morehart

See also

• Santa Barbara County, California ballot measures
• May 5, 2015 ballot measures in California
• District bonds on the ballot

External links

Suggest a link

• Santa Barbara County Elections Office website