City Council to Consider Paramedic Tax Increase

The San Rafael City Council will discuss an increase in the paramedic tax to improve service and response times throughout the city at a meeting Monday.

If approved by voters on Nov. 2, the tax would increase to $108 from the current $85 for residential properties. The rate for commercial properties would increase 3 cents to  14 cents per square foot.

In 1979, voters agreed to fully fund a paramedic program and a special tax went into effect in 1980.  The tax has been examined in four-year intervals since and has been increased as costs have risen and services have become more sophisticated.

According to a city analysis, the current tax does not fully fund service and, if the levy is not increased, the city would have to dip into the general fund to pay for services.

The city has been working to have one paramedic on each fire engine to improve response time and provide advanced life support care throughout the city. 

Prompt care from the outset of a call, including defibrillation and heart medications, is paramount to turning around a patient who might not survive otherwise, according to a city report. The goal is always to emergency medical delivery and effectiveness.

The council meets at 1400 Fifth Ave. at 8 p.m. Monday. For more information, go to http://cityofsanrafael.org.