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El Dorado County officials are advising county residents that the State of California will soon begin issuing Fire Prevention Fee bills. Each property owner in State Responsibility area where Cal Fire provides fire protection will be assessed an annual $150 fee per habitable structure. A $35 reduction in the amount of the fee applies if the property is also located within a local fire district.
The new state fee was approved was approved by the Legislature and Governor last year. The State Board of Equalization is expected to begin issuing the first bills in August. Billing will proceed alphabetically by county name.
“Although El Dorado County is the 29th largest county in terms of population, we are the 4th largest in terms of Fire Fee bills due to the size of the State Responsibility Area,” said Terri Daly, Chief Administrative Officer. “This new state fee hits our residents hard, and has the potential to create a lot of confusion.”
Most of the populated areas of El Dorado County are already part of a local fire protection district. In most instances, local fire districts are the first responders to emergency calls. Neither the county nor local fire districts receive any additional funding through the State Fire Prevention Fee.
The State has established a Website with additional information about the State Fire Prevention Fee: firepreventionfee.org. Residents are encouraged to contact the state with questions about their fee, applicable laws and regulations and the appeal process.
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
R.J. CarterAugust 02, 2012 - 6:19 pm
If somebody is cutting into my beer money I want to know why...Yes, I agree, here in El-Dorado Co., fire prevention is a very important, serious and worthwhile issue, but what bothers me is this charge being called a fee, it sounds more like just another State tax cutting into my Miller Highlife ...Besides, the definition of the word "Fee" is-"A charge for professional services rendered" ....The definition of the word "Tax" is-"A sum of money demanded by the government for specific services" (which seems to better apply)...So, is this really a fee, or is this simply just another tax imposed by the State that will end up in some slush fund at the Capital only to be squandered on some fat Congressman's lobster lunch???....Hopefully this money really will go to help Fire Prevention, but who knows? ..In either case I'd better stock up...P.S. Can we make that anti-spam type-in thingy you must do to place posts a easier, I'm starting to go blind!!!???.
Fat AlbertAugust 02, 2012 - 9:38 pm
Can we make that anti-spam type-in thingy you must do to place posts harder, so blowhards like RJ won't be able to post?
Ripped Off AgainAugust 03, 2012 - 5:18 am
I figure this latest rip off will go to reduce what the state has been funding via our taxes. Those savings will go to some pet project for another politican(s). I'd like to see an article on what the FY12/13 state contribution for the budget was for Calfire and what the same contribution will be for FY 13/14. I'm already paying taxes to the local fire district. Dollars to donuts you'll see a reduction that will be close to what they estimate this new tax aka fee will bring in. A shell game.
robertdnollAugust 03, 2012 - 7:57 am
nom de touche,hardly the mark of Zoro
Vic SubiaAugust 03, 2012 - 8:32 am
Whether it's a tax or a fee the amount comes out the same and it comes out of the property owners of El Dorado County's pockets. Those residents who will be charged this fee or tax, whatever is truly is, should get a public accounting of how this money is to be spent, how it is in fact spent and what the benefits are.
Brian OHareAugust 10, 2012 - 8:53 am
This tax citizens didn't get to vote on doesn't apply to urban areas.Using the same justification, will the state impose a "fee" on all parcels in urban areas for the higher police costs? Why not any service? This is unconstitutional taxation without citizen approval. Cameron Park/ El Dorado Hills rural? Is it really with 5 fire stations within 10 minutes?