The Greenfield City Council unanimously approved 4-0 a 4.2-percent increase to the city’s fire and medical emergency parcel tax on Tuesday, June 23.
“This increase hasn't occurred since 2017, but this year the city would like to increase the tax by 4.2 percent which is the [Consumer Price Index] for all urban customers since 2025,” City Attorney Jennifer Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the adjustment is expected to generate approximately $37,000 in additional revenue during fiscal year 2026-27, helping sustain fire and emergency medical services for Greenfield residents.
The tax was originally authorized through Measure C, which Greenfield voters approved on May 2, 2017. While the measure and city municipal code allow annual inflation-based increases, the city had not previously exercised that authority.
The City Council recommended applying only the most recent year’s inflation adjustment rather than implementing cumulative increases that could have been adopted over the past several years.
The approved increase raises the tax on single-family residential parcels from $200 to $208.40 annually. Multi-family residential units will see an annual increase from $150 to $156.30 per unit. Nonresidential parcel rates will also rise, with base fees increasing proportionally and the per-square-foot charge increasing from $0.07 to $0.08.
This decision comes after voters in neighboring Gonzales and Soledad rejected ballot measures that would have established a parcel tax to fund fire and emergency response services.