Prop Sales Tax
Proposition Sales Tax is a measure on the April 7th ballot to create a 1% sales tax that will support fire services. If approved, this would provide funding for the District's operations and reduce property taxes by half of the amount received from sales tax revenues.
FAQ:
What does this Proposition do?
Prop. Sales Tax provide smarter funding mechanisms that allow us to maintain our services and roll back property tax rates.
This will lessen the burden on property owners by ensuring that everyone who commutes through, works in, or shops in our community contributes to public safety.
Why is this proposition needed now?
Property tax is becoming increasingly unpopular and unreliable as a long-term funding source for our District. Personal property tax freezes and elimination are imminent, but that won’t bring relief for our taxpayers, it will just shift the taxes onto their most valuable and appreciating asset – their house.
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Our sales tax initiative shift that burden away from property owners and with it, our residents will have more control over when and how much they pay in taxes. They will also know exactly how much they're paying because there's no complicated formula like personal property tax.
What does this cost?
This proposition, one cent would be added to each dollar spent on everyday consumer goods. Prescription drugs, feminine hygiene products, diapers, fuel, utilities, and agricultural equipment will be exempt from the sales tax.
Property owners will see their annual taxes rolled back, or in some cases eliminated completely – based on the revenue generated by sales tax.
Will this reduce my FIRE services if it fails?
If this measure does not pass we will continue to operate with the funding mechanism that is currently in place. Your property tax rates will not be affected and we will periodically have to come back to the voters for property tax increases as state legislation reduces our operating tax rates.
What happens if there is an economic downturn?
We don't spend everything the moment it comes in. We maintain emergency reserves and use multi-year planning to ensure response times, staffing, and equipment don’t suffer in lean years. This measure is about creating flexibility in how we fund safety without overburdening property owners.
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The district will still be able to float real property rates up in a bad economy and rates will be reduced even further in good economic years.
Why is property tax unpopular?
All of us pay taxes when we purchase something and then we’re taxed again every year for owning it. Personal property tax bills hit a family all at once, right before the holidays. Personal property tax calculations are not transparent so every year property owners have to guess how much they will owe to save appropriately. Renters, visitors, and commuters don’t even pay for it, but they still benefit from Fire protection.
Personal property tax is a regressive tax that doesn’t scale with income or spending habits – its a fixed cost of ownership which disproportionately affects families with more taxable items. This places a heavier burden on the families with working adults and teens who need multiple cars; small business owners with work trucks and trailers; or the local farm with vehicles and taxable machines.
Meanwhile, sales taxes apply to everyday purchases and they’re paid little by little. With this change, our residents will have more control over when and how much they pay in taxes and you will know exactly how much you’re paying.
