Why I’m calling it “levy lid lift” II

This issue came up again, when Art Wuerth spoke to the Concerned Citizens; the city’s finance director asked “who thinks it’s an EMS levy” (show of hands), then “who thinks it’s a lid lift?” (show of hands).

You’re both right, Mr. Wuerth then said. “It’s the same thing.”

Two months ago, the finance director made it clear that the two are NOT the same thing, in his “sales pitch” (my term) to City Council. With the clock ticking toward expiration of the current EMS levy, Wuerth made a presentation to council on options to support EMS. From his July 13, 2009 recommendation, a copy of which he also passed out on Sunday. This is also available online (PDF version of the July 13 minutes)

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: (1) Type of Levy -The Finance Director recommends that the City Council approve submitting to the voters a “lid lift” of the City’s basic levy earmarked for EMS services. As opposed to an EMS levy, a “lid lift” of the City’s basic levy is determined by the will of a majority of the voters, rather than a minority. The earmarked portion of the city levy has no affect on the non-earmarked portion of the city levy either negatively or positively. (2) Length of Levy – The Finance Director advocates an EMS earmark which would function as the EMS levy that it is replacing. Therefore, the Finance Director encourages the City Council to approve submitting to the voters a “lid lift” which is effective for a period of six years.”

This is also reflected in the official minutes of that meeting:

Minutes, July 13 2009

“Art Wuerth presented the EMS levy request and asked for the Council’s recommendation for the type, length, and rate for the levy. There are two types of levies: an EMS levy which is considered an excess levy and requires a 60% super majority of votes to pass; and an earmark of the City levy by a lid lift which requires a 50% vote.”