HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-001 RESOLUTION NO. 2011--001
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A PERMANENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) LEVY.
WHEREAS, emergency medical service (EMS)to the residents of the City of Arlington
(the "City") is an essential element of the city's services to its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City and areas surrounding the City have experienced a rapid growth in
the number of residents; and
WHEREAS, the growing population has resulted in increased need for EMS services;
and
WHEREAS, on September 14, 2004, the voters of the City of Arlington approved an
EMS levy of fifty cents per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation, which levy was effective
for the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2011; and
WHEREAS, RCW 84.52.069 authorizes the establishment of a permanent EMS levy
upon approval of the voters; and
WHEREAS, the increasing costs of providing EMS services and the cost of repeated
requests for renewal of levies may not be in the best interests of the citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARLINGTON:
Section 1. There shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the City for their ratification or
rejection, at an election to be held by mail-in ballots on April 26, 2011, the question of whether
or not a tax, not to exceed FIFTY CENTS ($.50) PER THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) of
assessed valuation should be levied in each year permanently. All taxes collected pursuant to
this levy shall be used only for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical
services including related personnel costs, advanced life-supporting training, and related
equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures needed for the provision of emergency medical care
or emergency medical services.
Section 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to certify a copy of this
resolution and submit it to the Snohomish County Auditor. The Auditor of Snohomish County,
as ex officio of elections, is hereby directed to place a proposition worded substantially as
follows on the special election mail-in ballot scheduled for April 26, 2011:
CITY OF ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PERMANENT
LEVY FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PROPOSITION I
Resolution No. 2011-001 Page 1
Shall the City of Arlington be authorized to renew and make PERMANENT a
regular property tax levy of$.50 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for
emergency medical services?
Yes .............. ❑
No ................ ❑
Section 3. In accordance with RCW 84.52.069,the funds raised by such levy shall be used only
for the provision of emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, training for
such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures needed for the provision
of emergency medical services.
Section 4. The tax levy provided for herein must be approved by a majority of at least three-
fifths (3/5) of the registered voters of City of Arlington voting on the proposition, at which
election the number of persons voting "yes" on the proposition shall constitute three-fifths (3/5)
of a number equal to forty (40) percent of the total votes cast in the City at the last preceding
general election, when the number of registered voters voting on the proposition does not exceed
forty (40)percent of the total votes cast in the City in the last preceding general election; or by a
majority of at least three-fifths (3/5) of the registered voters of the City voting on the proposition
to levy when the number of registered voters on the proposition exceed forty (40) percent of the
total votes cast in the City in the last preceding election.
Section 5. For accounting purposes the City shall maintain records of receipt and expenditure of
the tax levy funds, and such records shall be available to the public at no charge.
Section 6. A referendum petition to remove the emergency medical services levy may be filed at
any time with the City Clerk, as the filing officer of the City. Within ten days of the filing of the
petition, the City Clerk shall confer with the petitioner concerning the form and style of the
petition, issue the petition an identification number and prepare an accurate, concise and positive
ballot title. The petitioner shall have thirty days after receiving the ballot title to obtain the
signatures of not less than fifteen percent of the registered voters of the City as of the last general
election. The petition forms shall contain the ballot title and the full text of the measure to be
referred. Upon return of the petition, the City Clerk, as filing officer, shall verify the sufficiency
of the signatures on the petition with the County elections department. If the petition contains
sufficient valid signatures, the City Clerk shall certify the referendum measure to the next
election to be held in the City; provided however, if an election is not scheduled within 180 days
from the date of the filing of the petition, the City Clerk shall certify the referendum measure to a
special election to be called for that purpose in accordance with RCW 29.13.020.
Section 7. The City Clerk is directed (a) to certify to the Auditor a copy of this Resolution No.
2011-001 showing its adoption by the City Council at least 45 days prior to the date of such
election; and (b)to perform such other duties as are necessary and required by law in submitting
to the voters of the City at the aforesaid election the proposition of whether such excess tax levy
shall be made.
Section 8. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this resolution shall
for any reason be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect or invalidate any other provisions
Resolution No. 2011-001 Page 2
of this resolution, but this resolution shall be constructed and enforced as if such invalid
provision had not been contained therein;provided, that any provision which shall for any reason
be held by reason of its extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent permitted
by law.
Passed at a regular meeting this Y� day of� ll�Q.�( . 2011.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
Margddt Larson
Mayor
Attest:
Kristin anfield
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
Ste en J. P i
Ci Att ey
Resolution No. 2011-001 Page 3
CERTIFICATE OF RESOLUTION
I, Kristin Banfield, City Clerk of the City of Arlington, Washington(the"City"),
do hereby certify that the attached is a full, true and correct copy City of Arlington
Resolution No. 2011-001, passed by the Arlington City Council at their regular meeting
on January 3, 2011.
Kristin anfield, City Cle k
Dated this 6th day of January, 2011