WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – Williams voters will decide in November whether to approve a citizen-sponsored sales tax measure intended to provide a dedicated funding source for fire protection and emergency response services after proponents gathered enough valid signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot.
The Williams City Council on July 15 unanimously accepted the certificate of sufficiency for the initiative petition and approved resolutions placing the measure on the Nov. 3 General Municipal Election ballot. City officials recommended using the regularly scheduled election because it allows the measure to be consolidated with the statewide election, reducing election costs.
The initiative was organized by the Williams Volunteer Firefighters Association. Erik Knight, secretary of the association and one of the initiative’s proponents, told the council the goal is to provide the Williams Fire Protection Authority with a stable funding source that keeps pace with the community’s growth and increasing operating costs.
The proposed measure would enact a one-half percent city special transactions and use (sales) tax, equal to an additional 50 cents on every $100 in taxable purchases made within the city. According to city officials, the measure is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million annually for the Williams Fire Protection Authority to fund fire protection, emergency medical response, rescue services and related public safety operations. The revenue would be deposited into a dedicated account and could be used only for those purposes.
Under the current agreement, the City of Williams contributes about $900,000 annually toward the Williams Fire Protection Authority’s operating budget, with the remaining funding provided by the rural district. Knight said the proposed sales tax would replace the city’s contribution rather than add to it.
“We’re not asking for this tax on top of what the city currently gives us,” Knight said. “This would be instead of. So it would essentially free up a little money for the city and also give us the guarantee that this money will always be there so we don’t have to fight in budgets every other year.”
Knight said any revenue generated beyond the authority’s current operating needs would remain with the fire department for future capital expenses.
“If this tax brings in anymore all of that will go to the fire department for equipment replacement, capital replacement,” Knight said, noting that the cost of replacing fire apparatus has increased significantly in recent years.
According to city records, proponents filed a Notice of Intention to Circulate an Initiative Petition on April 16. The City Attorney prepared the required ballot title and summary, beginning the 180-day signature-gathering period. Proponents submitted the completed petition to the City Clerk on June 5.
The Colusa County Elections Office examined 323 petition signatures and verified 246 as valid, exceeding the 233 signatures required to qualify the measure for the ballot.
Because it is a citizen-sponsored special tax, the measure will require approval by a simple majority of voters, 50% plus one vote, to pass.
The measure includes annual independent audits, public reporting and oversight by a seven-member citizens committee appointed by the City Council. Committee members could not be employees of the Williams Fire Protection Authority and would not have authority to direct city staff or spending decisions.