In 1989, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution establishing County Service Area P-6 Zones and authorizing a special tax on new developments in East County (Oakley and West Pittsburg/Bay Point). In 1992, the Board extended the special tax program to all unincorporated areas of the County. The Board Resolutions specified that "(T)he Revenues raised by this tax are to be used solely for the purposes of obtaining, furnishing, operating and maintaining police protection equipment or apparatus, for paying the salaries and benefits of police protection personnel, and for such other police protection service expenses as are deemed necessary."
Unlike CSA P-6 tax, which is imposed upon property owners, property owners vote to levy the special tax on their property. The vote, however, is taken at the time building permits/zoning approval is sought, which means that normally the only property owner is the developer.
Also unlike CSA P-6 tax, which is based on property value, CSA P-6 Zones are taxed on parcel use (i.e. base tax for vacant site is $100; for single residential is $200; for multiple residential is $400-$600). Each year, the tax increases by the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. Use of this funding is at the discretion of the Sheriff. This funding has not been routinely used for a specific purpose, but used as needed for primarily one-time cost items.
The Sheriff's Office is implementing the RAD kids program, which will cover a wide range of subjects for children ages 5-12; these subjects include:
- Safety at home, at play and at school
- Bicycle and traffic safety
- Planning for emergencies such as fire and natural disasters
- Response to bullying
- Internet safety
- Avoiding adult predators
- Physical skills to avoid physical control or harm