Voters OK special tax in Burbank-Paradise Fire District

Voters in the Burbank-Paradise Fire District have approved a special tax for emergency services.

According to the official results, 68 percent of votes cast in the mail election favored Measure C. That was slightly more than the 66.7 percent required to approve the tax.

The measure establishes a $75 annual levy on owner-occupied homes and eliminates a $48 parcel assessment. The net increase for taxpayers is $27 a year. Other Measure C taxes are $100 for rental homes, $150 for commercial property and $75 for vacant parcels.

The fire district plans to use the additional revenue to remodel its station on Beverly Drive in west Modesto. The funds also can be spent on prevention and emergency services, equipment maintenance and personnel costs.

According to the Stanislaus County registrar of voters, 317 people or almost 12 percent of the 2,698 registered voters in Burbank-Paradise, cast their ballots.

The district provides fire protection and other services in unincorporated areas of west Modesto and a rural area to Whitmore Avenue, between South Carpenter Road and the Tuolumne River.

This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 8:52 PM with the headline "Voters OK special tax in Burbank-Paradise Fire District."