Larkspur Measure S Would Renew Paramedic Tax Through 2031: Costs and Approval Threshold

POST-ELECTION UPDATE — NOVEMBER 5. This guide explains the proposal before the election. The later Marin County overnight report listed 2,538 Yes votes and 807 No votes, approximately 75.87% Yes, above the measure’s two-thirds requirement in the early tally. For up-to-date reporting context and the county’s next publication schedule, read our new Larkspur Measure S election-results article. This does not mean results are certified. The original policy explanation follows below.

Pre-election measure guide (October 31)

LARKSPUR, Marin County — October 31, 2026. Larkspur’s local Measure S asks whether the city should extend a special parcel tax that helps fund emergency paramedic services through the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority. The measure concerns a tax that already exists; it is not a proposal to create a new ambulance agency from scratch.

What would change under Measure S?

According to the Marin County Elections Department’s ballot measure page and city attorney’s impartial analysis, the current paramedic tax is due to expire on June 30, 2027 unless voters renew it. Approval would continue the tax for four years, through June 2031.

For the 2027–28 tax year, the proposed rate is $107.50 per taxable residential living unit or per 1,000 square feet of developed nonresidential property. The current annual rate is listed as $103.50, with a different nonresidential square-foot calculation. That distinction matters to commercial properties.

What about future increases?

The ballot text permits an adjustment of up to $4 per year. The city attorney’s impartial analysis describes increases of $3.50 and a maximum rate of $118 in the fourth year. The measure is projected to generate approximately $834,000 annually in Larkspur, rather than promising that exact amount of revenue in every year.

What would the money fund?

Revenue would be legally restricted to paramedic and emergency medical services, which may include staff, training, medical supplies and ambulance equipment. The official statement provides for audits and public disclosure. Supporters argue that extending the tax protects response capacity; opponents or residents concerned about the proposal may question the size, structure or effectiveness of an ongoing property-based charge. The official county site says no formal argument against Measure S was filed, which does not mean no resident opposes it.

What happens under either outcome?

A yes result approves the proposed four-year extension; a no result would leave the existing tax scheduled to expire in June 2027. As a special tax, Measure S requires two-thirds approval to pass. The results are not known as of this report.

Source: Marin County Elections Department, Measure S, including official ballot wording and the city attorney’s impartial analysis, reviewed October 31, 2026. California58 does not endorse either outcome.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Larkspur News grow Help strengthen reporting on Larkspur: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Larkspur News

Choose how to support Larkspur News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Larkspur News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Larkspur News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.