Group seeks parcel fee for Pioneer Fire Protection District

Most people shiver to the core of their bones when they read or hear the following two words — tax increases. But those words could be music to the ears to some 3,600 residents looking to save the Pioneer Fire Protection District.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, residents in the southern end of El Dorado County will go to the voting precincts to vote on Measure F that calls for each developed parcel in the district to increase to pay $85 a year to fund the fire district.

According to a 2010 study by Citygate Associates commissioned by the county, the average assessment received by fire districts on the typical single-family dwelling unit is about $180 a year. But unlike most fire districts in the county, the Pioneer Fire Protection District does not levy any assessments. If the measure passes, the $85 would be for those living in the district or owning an improved parcel.

The increase would replace Aid To Fire, which is a supplemental funding program to support the community based independent fire districts in the western slope of the county. The funding from the county's General Fund ends June 30, 2012 when the 2011-12 fiscal year comes to an end. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted to eliminate the program in 2008 that began in 1998.

According to Mike Lawless, one of the co-chairmen of the Save the Pioneer Fire District Committee, funding for the program came mostly from the county's General Fund and property taxes paid for by the people who live in the district. People who own property in the area but live outside the county would also be responsible for paying the additional parcel fee.

The county's budget was$1.2 million that was dispersed among eight local fire districts for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The Pioneer Fire District received $257,813 for the 2009-10 fiscal year, and only $178,590 for the 2010-11 and current fiscal year.

"The outcome is we have gone from $1,00,079 with the two combined funding sources to next year, where we will have from property taxes only $551,000,"  Lawless said. "We cannot function as a 24/7 fire district with that amount of money."

The district protects 296 square miles — or 187,000 acres — of land containing a mixture of homes, ranches, businesses, vineyards and forest land. There is one manned fire station plus five other fire stations. On the payroll are Chief Bob Gill six full-time firefighters, a part-time administrative assistant and eight qualified volunteer firefighters.

"That's the entire staff," said Lawless, who shares the co-chair duties with Ripley Howe.

According to the League of California Cities, El Dorado County collected $7.6 in sales tax revenue from Proposition 172, which passed in 1992, for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The district also provides medical responses. Proposition 172 is the one-half cent sales tax to fund police, fire and other public safety programs.

Property taxes have also gone down in the county. Add to California's fiscal woes that have seen limited changes between the transfer of power to Gov. Jerry Brown from now former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and district supporters of the local fire department are hoping to resolve this matter in their backyard.

"The other rural fire districts get somewhat similar (funds) percentage of their taxes," Lawless said. "In our particular case, it's a 9 percent share because we are so sparsely populated."

Public safety organizations are required to have adequate and stable funding sources to enable them to ensure reliable delivery of emergency services to the public.

If the measure doesn't pass, Lawless states, the district could be forced to take dramatic cuts. Some of those areas discussed are reducing staff as much as 75 percent, longer response times to fires, medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents. Also on the chopping block are replacing worn out medical emergency and firefighting equipment, unable to comply with unfunded federal and state government mandates that includes training requirements and the triggering of substantial homeowner rate increases and cancellations.

There have been cutbacks already, Lawless notes. Fire Chief Bob Gill cut his own salary voluntarily by 25 percent. There is discussion of eliminating some paid staff members, reducing fire station staffing hours, dropping the Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic program and deferring fleet and facility maintenance.

"The other day, I drove by our Station No. 38 (that is Pioneer's main fire station), there was a fireman on the roof fixing the air conditioner," Lawless said.

There were discussions of consolidating the district with the county. But Lawless said there is not enough "income justified."

Lawless said, "Both the CA Fire and El Dorado County Fire District really don't want us because they can't afford more than we can afford us. Consolidation is not an option."

In 2010 there were 670 emergency calls in the Pioneer area. Of those calls, approximately 47 percent were for fire related incidents, while 53 percent were for medical aid and automobile accidents.

In recent months, the committee has conducted town hall meetings to inform residents and the public about their situation.

E-mail Mike Bush at mbush@mtdemocrat.net or call 530-344-5071.