“We Don’t Need a Public Safety Tax”

Dear Editor:

Recent advertisements and letters in the local press have implied that San Marino would be left
with a single firefighter and a single policeman if the Special Public Safety Tax measure is
defeated; or our fire department would be taken over by LA County. This is absolutely FALSE.

This type of fear-mongering has no place in our well-educated community. Let’s stick to the
facts. Contrary to what residents have been told, defeat of Measure SM will have NO effect on
emergency services.

In the Adopted 2019-20 Budget and the 5-Year Budget Forecast, the City Manager stated there
would be NO EFFECT on police and fire services if Measure SM was defeated. We agree.

If the loss of $3.2 million leaves San Marino with only 2 first responders, the “San Marino
Residents for Measure SM” is in effect saying the $3.2 million Public Safety Tax is 93% of the
combined SMFD and SMPD budgets. Simple arithmetic shows that is not true.

The Adopted Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget shows Revenue at $31.7 million and Expenditures of
$25.8 million leaving an EXCESS of over $5 million. The City is awash in cash with more
than enough to support police and fire services without the need for a Special Public Safety
Tax.

Don’t be fooled by this fear-mongering. There will be NO LOSS of emergency services. The
City agrees with this. Vote NO on Measure SM.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ko
San Marino, CA 91108