The West Side Community Healthcare District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to order the levy and collection of charges within the district for fiscal year 2026-27 last Monday. The decision of the special assessment was made for the purpose of providing ambulance services and is expected to bring $382,963 in revenue, according to the agenda item’s documents.

In November 1984, voters of the then-West Side Community District voted for Measure A, an initiative measure that gave the district the right to levy a special tax. In addition, the board also voted to levy the rate of tax of properties within WSCHD. $40 per residential unit, $95 per parcel on commercial property, $250 per parcel on industrial property and $40 per residential unit including 10 cents per acre, according to the agenda item’s document.

Roberta Casteel, the district’s administrative services manager, told the Westside Connect that the assessment will be reflected in the tax rolls for Stanislaus and Merced Counties for 2026-27. She added that there will not be changes to the properties’ rates.

Monday’s meeting did not have a decision on whether the district will pursue a tax measure for the November mid-term elections. The district has until July 6 to submit the paperwork for the measure to appear on the ballot for both counties in November.

In the previous two elections, 2022 and 2024, WSCHD campaigned for $69 per parcel within the district. However, it has failed to receive the required two-thirds majority in both counties.

In the May 18 meeting, three property tax measures were proposed to the board, a flat parcel tax, a rate based on building square footage and reduced rates for developed and undeveloped parcels.

The flat-rate option charges $69.36 per parcel regardless of property size, use or development status. The square-footage option will be vary for different properties with 5.1 cents per building square feet. A 1,500-square-foot single-family house will pay an annual tax of $76.54 through this option. The third option could cost developed lots 9.6 cents per 1,000-square-foot and undeveloped lots 1 cent per 1,000-square-foot.

Ultimately, there was not an agreement on either option with board members and attendees critical of the proposals.