El Dorado County Voters Weigh Measure S Sales Tax

El Dorado County voters are weighing Measure S, a proposed 3/8-cent sales tax increase designed to fund hospital projects, wildfire programs, and fire-agency funding over a 30-year period.

Opponents of the measure argue that the proposal lacks transparency regarding specific infrastructure needs and accountability. A central point of contention involves the funding for hospital-related projects, with Marshall Medical Center identified as the likely primary beneficiary to address state-mandated seismic requirements.

Critics question the necessity of the tax, citing that Marshall Medical Center has an average bed occupancy of less than 50%. They further suggest that the institution prioritized a recent 13 million dollar expansion into El Dorado Hills over its existing seismic obligations.