On November 6, 1996, the people of the state of California, passed Proposition 218 adding Article XIIIC to the California State Constitution. Beginning July 1, 1997, all existing, new, or increased assessments imposed by the city must be submitted to the electors of the city for approval. The city presently has a fire suppression assessment; the assessment is levied to enable the city to hire and pay the salaries and benefits for three additional firefighters for the city's fire department. This assessment will expire as of June 30, 1997. In addition to the fire suppression assessment a first responder fee is presently charged by the city whenever fire department personnel respond to a call by any person requesting medical assistance. In order to comply with the tenets of Proposition 218 and to maintain the present staffing level of the fire department a special tax is necessary. This special tax will assure funding for an immediate twenty-four-hour, two firefighter with emergency medical technician training (EMT-1 level) response to any emergency in the city. It is the intent of the city council that the special tax include funding for these firefighters as first responders in medical emergencies; by such inclusion, the first responder fee can be abolished. (Ord. 549 § 1 (part), 1997)