Out of every measure on the ballot this election cycle, only two of them, if passed, won’t raise taxes in some way, shape or form. 

Don’t get too excited though — one of them is Eureka’s controversial Measure F, and the other is Measure M, which is still tax-related but complicated to anyone who doesn’t study California’s tax laws for fun. 

In 2020 voters in the Arcata Fire District approved a different Measure F, a property tax that funds the fire district. Part of that measure allowed the fire district to collect more total tax money than they were allowed to previously — to raise its so-called “appropriations limit” — a step required by California’s constitution. Measure F didn’t raise that limit by a specific number; it raised it by however much money the tax ends up generating. The tax expires in 2030. 

However, that appropriations limit can only be raised higher for four years at a time, by law. If passed, Measure M will allow the district to keep it higher for another four years so the fire district can keep collecting the tax. It requires a simple majority to pass. 

According to the Humboldt County Counsel’s impartial analysis of Measure M, if Measure M fails and the fire district has revenue that exceeds the appropriations limit, the district has to return the money by revising the tax rates or fee schedules. 

“As for Measure M, if it isn’t successful, it would limit our funding to the existing cap,” Fire Chief Chris Emmons wrote in an email to the Outpost. “If we cannot use the appropriated funds, certain items that are budgeted for may not occur. This could be equipment, programs, maintenance, etc. Staffing would be the absolute last item impacted. Currently we would be able to staff as we are today.” 

More worrisome to Emmons is the possibility that 2020’s Measure F doesn’t get renewed in 2030. Before Measure F passed, staffing vacancies forced the fire district to operate stations on a rolling basis. Even if Measure M fails, the district likely won’t have to return to that.

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