LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Fire Protection District got good news on Friday – final confirmation that its Measure M fire tax has passed.
The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office on Friday reported to district officials that the special May 7 all-mail election has been certified and finalized, with the measure passing. The agency had 30 days to complete the official canvass.
“I know the district is very pleased and humbled to see the overwhelming support of the Lakeport area community in passing Measure M,” said Lakeport Fire Board member Alan Flora, one of the newer board members who also is city manager for Clearlake.
Measure M needed a supermajority of 66.7 percent to pass.
The final vote count showed that the measure received 1,700 yes votes, or 74.27 percent, versus 589 no votes, or 25.73 percent.
Counted ballots cast totaled 2,289, with another four reported as “undervotes,” or ballots not counted due to unclear markings, based on the official canvass documents.
The Registrar of Voters Office said 5,983 ballots had been mailed to registered voters in the fire protection district’s boundaries. The turnout rate was 38.33 percent.
Lakeport Fire put the measure before voters in order to bring in much-needed revenue to the district, which last year laid off three full-time firefighters.
Measure M is forecast to bring in $1,206,000 in its first year, rising to more than $1.3 million by the fifth year thanks to annual consumer price index adjustments not to exceed 3 percent.
The first payments on the measure won’t start coming in until the December property tax bills.
“Now the real work begins in bringing the district back up to the state of readiness the citizens expect and deserve. It is my pledge to advocate for responsible spending of district revenues in a way that ensures sustainable service into the future,” Flora said.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District Governing Board will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Station 50, 445 N. Main St.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Official canvass confirms Measure M passage; May special election certified
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On