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Gonzales council sends parcel‑tax measure for fire and EMS to voters
Summary
The Gonzales City Council approved Resolution 2026‑04 to place a parcel tax on the June 2, 2026 consolidated ballot that staff says would raise roughly $665,000 annually to sustain current fire and emergency medical services; residents urged clearer disclosure and warned of rent pass‑throughs.
The Gonzales City Council voted to approve Resolution 2026‑04 on Tuesday, sending a proposed special parcel tax to voters at the June 2, 2026 consolidated statewide election to fund fire and emergency medical services.
Staff told the council the city moved away from a volunteer fire model after accreditation and staffing requirements made that system untenable, and the parcel tax is intended to sustain the paid personnel and operations now required to keep emergency services running. Staff said the proposed rates are $349 for a single‑family unit, $262 for multifamily units, and $148–$201 plus $0.07 per square foot for nonresidential parcels, adjusted annually, and estimated the measure could generate about $665,000 annually. “This funding generated from the parcel tax would go strictly to support fire department operations,” staff said.
The measure drew public questions about what the money would cover. Andre Martinez asked whether the tax would pay for a new ladder truck; staff responded the ladder truck had already been paid for. Henry Martinez Jr., speaking as a property owner, said he supported the fire department but pressed the council for full disclosure of how funds would be used and worried landlords might pass costs to renters. “If it’s not disclosed properly, we are gonna vote no against it,” Martinez said.
Mayor Jose Rios asked staff for a budget breakdown; staff clarified the parcel tax is aimed at maintaining current services and staffing and would not immediately fund additional full‑time positions. Councilmember Liz moved to adopt the resolution as presented; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call with affirmative votes from Mayor Pro Temila Silva, Council member Scott Buck, Council member Lorraine Wirthink, Council member Mario Roscoe and Mayor Jose Rios.
The resolution approves the content and form of the proposed parcel‑tax ordinance and submits the question to the voters in the June 2, 2026 consolidated election. If approved by voters, staff said revenues would be dedicated to fire and emergency services operations; the council did not adopt specific spending allocations beyond that direction at Tuesday’s meeting.
Next steps: With the council’s approval of Resolution 2026‑04, the city will place the parcel‑tax measure on the ballot for the consolidated election on June 2, 2026. Any further budget breakdown or guarantees about specific allocations would require subsequent staff reports or council action.
