Salida voters reject Measure J fire-service tax in early results
In early, unofficial election results, Salida residents were rejecting Measure J, an annual tax to fund the Salida Fire Protection District. Early results have the measure failing, with 47.2% support and 52.8% opposed. The measure required a two-thirds majority vote to pass. Though same-day voting has yet to be counted, it does not appear it will be able to overcome the threshold. The tax would have generated $1.9 million, charging residents $126 for a multifamily home or $168 for a single-family home annually. Heavy commercial buildings would be taxed at 20 cents per square foot, light industrial buildings at 10 cents per square foot, and storage facilities at 5 cents per square foot. Vacant properties would be exempt. A previous story in The Bee detailed rising costs of providing service to the unincorporated community northwest of Modesto. According to Ballotpedia, the measure would also fund emergency medical response and emergency vehicles and create an independent oversight committee to monitor and audit the funds. Beginning in 2027, the tax would have been subject to an annual cost-of-living increase. It is unclear how the budget shortfalls will affect service if the measure fails.
