Paid Solicitors Attempt to Derail Sausalito Fire Department Consolidation
Sausalito residents are urged NOT to sign any petition opposing the Sausalito Fire Department annexation unless you know the facts.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
Sausalito City staff have worked with the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, as well as professional consultants, actuaries, accountants, attorneys and the staff of the Local Agency Formation Commission to develop a plan to make permanent the fire and EMS delivery that has been in place in Sausalito for the last 7-1/2 years. This plan is the result of more than 3 years of study, and consideration of numerous different delivery options and was determined to be the most effective operationally as well as the most fiscally efficient. This plan was forwarded to the City Council by the City Manager, the Administrative Services Director (Finance Director), the City Attorney and the Fire Chief after approval by the City and Fire District Consolidation Committee. This plan was approved by the City Council, the Fire District Board of Directors and the Marin Local Agency Formation Commission.
A small group of people have hired PAID SOLICITORS to get you to sign their petition to derail this plan. Make no mistake, these petitioners, who are paid by the signature, do not care about the fire and emergency medical services provided in your community - they care about getting your signature, so they can get their commission.
Those seeking to get you to sign a protest petition make several claims which or either completely false or misleading. Please read the facts below to get the correct information.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
Claim: The City will lose 45% percent of its tax based as it will be transferred to the Fire District.
Fact: While this is true, it is very misleading. What they fail to mention is that currently the City of Sausalito currently spends 55% of its property tax revenue on fire service. The cost to tax payers is actually decreased significantly with annexation. They also fail to mention that should the annexation fail, the cost for fire services will increase substantially, as much as $1.4 million, according to an independent study by Citygate associates, a well respected government management consulting firm.
Claim: That the annexation allows firefighters to "double-dip" and increases pension costs as well as costs to the City Taxpayers.
Fact: This is absolutely untrue. This is simply a desperate attempt to capitalize on the public's concern over unfunded pension liabilities. The fact is that there are no additional costs to taxpayers and in fact City employees who transfer to the District will be required to pay a higher percentage of their retirement costs.
Claim: The City is losing its Fire Department.
Fact: Again, this is absolutely untrue. Southern Marin Fire has been providing the City's fire protection for the last 7-1/2 years. The annexation merely solidifies the fire department that the City currently has in place. There is absolutely no change of personnel, equipment, staffing levels or response criteria. You will have the same highly trained, professional, dependable, community fire department that you have had for the last 7-1/2 years.
Claim: The City is losing ownership its new fire station.
Fact: Again, this is untrue. The City retains ownership of the fire station and leases it to the Fire District for $100,000 per year for 30 years (the length of the current bond). If the Fire District, for any reason, is no longer the provider of fire and EMS for the City, the lease is terminated.
If you have already signed and want to revoke your protest vote: Click here
For more information, visit www.sausalitofirefacts.org.
A letter to Sausalito Citizens from former Councilmembers and Mayors
History of Sausalito/SMFD relationship
Why is Annexation Good for Sausalito?
Marin Voice Article by Peter Van Meter
Former City Councilmember
MarinScope Opinion by Amy Belser
Former Sausalito Mayor
Marin Voice Article by Vicki Nichols
Former Chair Sausalito's Historical Landmarks Board. Member - Measure "S" committee
Marin Voice Article by Cathryn Hilliard
SMFD Board Member
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
City of Sausalito Information