Measure U: How Your Parcel Tax Supports Fire & Emergency Services

In November 2018, voters in the Southern Marin Fire Protection District approved Measure U, a special parcel tax dedicated to local fire protection, emergency medical services, and wildfire risk reduction.

Measure U was approved to:

• Stabilize the Fire District’s finances
• Maintain existing emergency services and response times
• Invest in wildfire risk reduction and community resilience

All Measure U funds are locally controlled, cannot be taken by the State, and are independently audited each year. 

Measure U generates approximately $3.1 million annually, shown in the District budget as the Emergency Medical Response and Fire Protection Tax.

Each year, the District publishes:

• Total Measure U revenue collected
• How those funds are spent
• Independent audit results
• Oversight Committee review findings

How Measure U Funds Are Spent

These funds are used to maintain the emergency services residents rely on every day, including:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
  Paramedic staffing, ambulance availability, and cardiac & stroke response capability

• Fire Suppression & Response Staffing
  Fully staffed fire engines, rapid 9-1-1 response, and all-hazards readiness

• Personnel Retention & Workforce Stability
  Competitive compensation and benefits to retain experienced firefighters and paramedics

• Training, Readiness & Compliance
  Required certifications, safety training, disaster preparedness, and response readiness

• Operational Infrastructure & Support
  Dispatch, communications systems, technology, and administrative services that support 24/7 emergency response

These uses are consistent with the Measure U ordinance and reflect the priorities identified by residents during the voter-approved process.

Oversight, Accountability & Audits

Measure U includes strong accountability requirements:

• Funds are deposited into a separate, dedicated account
• An independent annual audit verifies compliance with the ordinance
• A Citizens’ Oversight Committee reviews revenues, expenditures, and audit results

Annual Measure U reports are made publicly available

Learn More

• Measure U Ordinance
• Annual Measure U Reports
• Citizens’ Oversight Committee Meetings & Minutes
• Adopted Annual Budget (Measure U Section page 35-38)
• FY 26 Biweekly Budget Report

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer