Members of the Pasadena City Council on Monday, Aug. 3, voted to place a parcel tax measure on the city’s November election ballot.
The resolution was approved 7-0 with Councilmember Tyron Hampton abstaining.
The parcel tax would annually levy 19-cent per square foot on improved property to fund the city’s fire department improvement plan laid out over 10 years as proposed by Fire Chief Chad Augustin. The tax would not apply if the property owner receives a senior citizen or disability exemption. Also exempt would be any owner whose annual household income does not exceed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development very low (50%) income limit.
The measure is projected to provide about $22,100,000 annually and the estimated annual tax on a median 1,600 ft Pasadena home would be about $300, according to the city.
It includes modernizing fire stations, reconstructing stations 33 and 37, establishing a dedicated training center and fire headquarters, upgrading 911 communication systems and expanding emergency response staffing and equipment.
In addition, City Council members added to seismic retrofitting for two fire stations to the plan during Monday’s meeting.
The measure requires two-thirds of the vote to be approved and would sunset after 14 years. Much of Monday night’s discussion centered on whether to include a sunset date and if so how far out to push that date.
During public comment opponents of the measure, some representing realtor associations and the developer industry said a parcel tax was the wrong mechanism to fund fire services because it placed the burden on property owners while the entire city would benefit from the services funded in the plan.
“What we’re asking the voters to review is our record of service,” Mayor Victor Gordo said. “What we’re asking them is to look at our plan for continuing that level of service.”
Friday, Aug. 7, is the deadline to submit ballot measures to Los Angeles County for placement on the November ballot.