Voters should have no second thoughts about supporting a continuation of a property tax levy that provides emergency medical services for East County Fire & Rescue.
The measure, Proposition No. 1 on Clark County ballots, would authorize continued funding for services through a property tax of 35 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed value. The levy, which would replace one approved in 2008, would be good for six years beginning in 2015. The Columbian recommends a “yes” vote.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, but the choice appears to be clear. The measure would simply be the continuation of a tax levy that long has been in existence; it would not be imposing a new tax. And it would continue to provide for dual-function paramedics/firefighters and for local low-cost ambulance service rather than compelling East County Fire & Rescue to contract with private companies.
Proposition No. 1 would continue to provide basic and necessary services for citizens. Public safety, it could be argued, is the paramount duty of local government, and adequate fire and rescue services are essential to that safety. East County Fire & Rescue should be allowed to maintain the same level of service it has been providing.
