Board gives nod to property tax ballot measure

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Faced with the end of the Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund, which generates $1.6 million each year to Santa Barbara County in order to help offset the costs of uncompensated emergency services, the Board of Supervisors chose to generate that and more with an annual $32 property tax increase.
The board voted 4-1 on Tuesday, with Fifth District Supervisor Joe Centeno dissenting, to put the property tax increase before voters during the Feb. 8, 2008 elections.

Dr. Elliot Schulman, director of the county’s Public Health Department and a health officer, said when the state renewed the Maddy Fund in 2005, it did so under the condition that the county would find an alternative way of generating funds before its expiration on Jan. 1, 2009.
At stake, according to Schulman, is ensuring that trauma centers and emergency rooms throughout the county continue to operate effectively, and if possible in the black.
He said the $1.6 million is distributed to various hospitals and medical centers throughout the county, where it offsets the estimated $8 million of care given to the uninsured and underinsured.
If voters approve the property tax increase, which Schulman noted will put the current 126,090 parcels on the county’s Assessor Roll back a couple of cups of coffee each month, the county will be able to generate $4 million each year to replace the missing $1.6 million.
“It’s pretty cheep insurance to have an adequate trauma system for us and our families,” Schulman said. “I would hope people would support it.”
The board debated between implementing a hotel tax, which in order to generate $8 million, would have had to increase by 31 percent.
The board also considered a sales tax increase.
Schulman said the current $1.6 million comes from increased penalties on motor vehicle and criminal fines -- 50 percent of which comes from DUI fines.
When the Maddy Fund expires at the end of 2008, Schulman said it is possible that the traffic fines impacted by the initial increase could be cut.
In order for the tax increase to pass, two-thirds of the voters will have to give it their approval.
The board’s agenda letter says placing a ballot measure before the voters during the Feb. 2008 election will cost the county $300,000 to $400,000, which it says will be recouped if the tax increase passes.