Directories
Quick Searches
Find a Job
Quick Search
For Employers
Yahoo! HotJobs Local Search
REGION: Most North County mayors lukewarm on fire tax
November ballot measure may create new agency
By EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | ∞
Some mayors say they don't know enough about a proposed countywide property tax, that would pay for more firefighting resources, for them to decide if they could support a possible public vote in November.
If approved by the county Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5, the measure creating the tax would be put to voters. The measure also would create a regional fire agency to manage the revenues, estimated at $50 million a year.
Supporters say they need municipal support to win over tax-averse voters. But some mayors said last week that they have yet to be convinced about the "parcel" tax.
The proposal was developed by a regional fire safety committee but has received little airing in public.
Five North County mayors interviewed last week said they didn't know enough about the proposal to make up their minds. One said he did not support it; two others voted in favor of it as members of the advisory committee that drafted the proposal.
"At this point, I don't have enough information to support this proposal and (to) urge the citizens of Encinitas to tax themselves in this manner," said Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks.
Vista Mayor Morris Vance was blunter.
"I don't think there's a way that I can support it," Vance said.
Mayors said their cities already spend heavily on fire departments and that they would be hesitant to ask their residents for more money.
In 2006, Vista residents approved a 30-year, half-cent sales tax increase to pay for several civic projects, including a $40 million City Hall and two new fire stations, Vance said.
"We've done our share," Vance said.
Fire and county officials say they need more regional resources to fight wildfires, such as those in 2003 and 2007 that scorched hundreds of thousands of acres.
Several recent assessment reports have criticized the region for not having enough resources in place to stem wildfires before they become firestorms.
Earlier this year, county supervisors created the Regional Fire Protection Committee to study a countywide safety plan. The committee, headed by Supervisor Ron Roberts and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, includes elected officials and fire chiefs.
Jim Duffy, Roberts' chief of staff, said he has started meeting with local elected officials to inform them about the proposal.
Urgent matter
After months of debate, the committee this month recommended the plan for a joint fire agency funded by the parcel tax. The revenues from the proposed tax would be split between the agency and the cities and fire districts.
Committee members approved the plan July 18 on an 8-1 vote, with Escondido Mayor Lori Holt-Pfeiler and Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox in support. Supervisor Dianne Jacob cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the measure needed more work.
Under the plan, the joint fire authority would keep half the revenues to pay for a regional firefighting air fleet and other resources. The other half would be given to local fire departments to pay for training, facilities, equipment and personnel.
Each parcel in the county would be taxed at least $52 a year. Parcels with larger buildings, such as high-rises, would be taxed an additional 1 cent for each square foot of space beyond 10,000 square feet.
Large parcels without structures also would be taxed $1 for every acre beyond 50. The parcel tax could not exceed $1,000 a year per lot.
The Board of Supervisors held its first hearing on the proposal last week. The board's discussion sparked questions about who would control the money: the backcountry, where most of the wildfires begin, or the cities, where most people live and will pay most of the revenues.
About 17 percent of the county's 3 million residents live in rural, unincorporated areas.
The proposal recommended by the committee would give cities 18 of the 21 votes in the new agency's governing board. Jacob proposed an 11-member governing board giving four seats to rural fire agencies. Supervisors are expected to choose one of the plans at the Aug. 5 meeting.
Roberts, one of the main backers of the committee's plan, and others are pushing hard to put the parcel tax on the ballot this November.
County Counsel John Sansone told the committee recently that there may not be another chance to put the tax to a vote before 2010. A special election would cost about $6.6 million and likely would yield a low turnout; mail-in elections are not permitted for this type of measure, Sansone said.
In order to get the measure on the November ballot, it must be approved by the Board of Supervisors and submitted to election officials by Aug. 8.
Even if the tax is approved by the voters in November, it will take more than a year before the county could start to see its revenues. The tax would take effect July 1, 2009, and the first payments would be due in December 2009, Sansone said.
In order to be approved, the tax needs to garner at least two-thirds of votes cast.
Erik Bruvold, president of the San Diego Institute for Policy Research, said that while voters have been hesitant to approve tax measures in the past, the people may be ready this time.
"I think voters are there," Bruvold said. "I think this is a time when elected officials are lagging behind."
The policy research organization released a report this month that said the San Diego region spends less on fire resources than Orange and Los Angeles counties, based on a per-capita comparison.
Not ready?
In fiscal year 2007-08, the 42 municipalities, fire districts and the county invested a total of $475 million on fire protection, according to the report. That's about $151 for each resident in the county.
That compares with $173 in Orange County and $214 in Los Angeles County, the report said.
While area mayors say they recognize the need for regional resources, most say they knew little about the details of the ballot measure, including Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis, Solana Beach Mayor Dave Roberts, San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond and Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood.
"I'm not ready to say, 'yes' or 'no,' " Wood said.
Roberts said he had not seen enough of the proposal to make a decision on whether to support it, either. Desmond said he had not seen the details but was not inclined to support it.
"From what I've heard, I'm not 100 percent supportive," Desmond said. "We have our own Fire Department."
The mayor said he wondered whether the city would see much of the benefits of the tax. He said city residents pay the half-cent tax under Proposition 172, passed by California voters in 1993, but see little of its benefits.
Although it was billed at the time as a public safety measure, most of the revenues are used by the county to pay for Sheriff's Department operations and district attorneys, but not firefighting.
"We don't reap the benefits, but we pay the tax," Wood said.
Under the property tax proposal, each city, fire district, county service area and water district would get 50 percent of the revenues generated in their area. The other half would go to the joint powers authority, which would be governed by a board including representatives from the cities, the county and the fire agencies.
The regional share of money would be used to maintain a fleet of firefighting aircraft, firetrucks, training and equipment. Supporters say the resources are needed to help the county fight wildfires before they flare out of control and spread into urban areas.
Poway Mayor Mickey Cafagna, a member of the Regional Fire Protection Committee, said the need is obvious.
"The facts are well-known," he said. "We don't have enough (firefighting) support. We don't have much choice. I think the voters will realize that."
Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.
More Stories
Advertisement
Jeff wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:46 PM:Index the fee for risk and parcel size annd then let's talk. 1 size does not fit all!
Vista Watchdog wrote on Jul 26, 2008 11:16 PM:Kill two birds with one stone: Sell Tri City Medical Center to a Private Non- Profit, Vote to convert the Hospital District into an Emergency Management District, and take the funds from the sale of the Hospital facilities and use them to provide a world class Emergency and Trauma Center at TCMC, buy and run a world class communications center for EMS Operations, purchase or lease the best firefighting equipment and firefighting services available, and coordinate all Fire, Police, and EMS throughout NC. If PPH were to do the same and combine the funds of the sale of PPH and also convert to an EM District, North County would lead CA in Emergency Management and Emergency Services!
Time to think outside the box North County!
Theotis wrote on Jul 27, 2008 3:01 AM:Seems that old Morris is being disingenuous yet again. This is a guy who LOVES taxes, especially when earmarked to erect a monument to himself. He LOVES new buildings with little bronze plaques with HIS NAME on it! Just just be sure to throw in those bronze plaques, and old Morris will suppport this tax. Never fails!! Recall Morris!
He Said wrote on Jul 27, 2008 4:19 AM:Are these proponents of additional taxes - this parcel tax + Tri City - living in another country with a better economy? Tri City over $100 per year for a $400,000 residence and now this additional $50? This is not the time to increase taxes!!! Another slap in the face to those on fixed incomes.
Michael wrote on Jul 27, 2008 7:22 AM:Ask the Poway Mayor why during the Witch Fire they had extra Engines sitting idle while firefighters where sent home. Was it to save overtime payments? It wasn't because the firefighters where tired.
be better prepared wrote on Jul 27, 2008 7:52 AM:The fire tax is a must. The tax must be for fire only.
We need a County Fire Department without the usual ugly politics.
Everyone in the state of Calif is fire-vulnerable including all the coastal communities.
The 1800 fires in Northern Calif and coastal communities can happen again. Can repeat in SD County.
Southern Calif fires 2003 and 2007 can happen again.
Be prepared for fire/wildfires instead of sorry.
These are very difficult times, but we must move forward when it comes to our Health and Safety.
Be Prepared wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:01 AM:REDUCE YOUR WILDFIRE RISK. PLAN AHEAD.
[1] For TIPS, GOOGLE ucce/county publication wildfire zone tip cards or GOOGLE ucce/county publication wildfire tip cards.
[County of SD pays for this website.]
[2] WILDFIRE PLANS, TIPS, TOOLS at the Ventura County Calif Fire government website or GOOGLE the words meet your first weapon against wildfire. 12 pages that can help you save your life and home.
[3] GOOGLE homeowners wildfire mitigation guide. It is an Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California web.
Stakeholders (homeowners) must be part of the solution. Stay and Defend or Go Very Early. During the year continue to maintain defensible space, clean out rain gutters, plant hygiene (destroy weeds and sick old plants).
Fire season is YEAR round and there are not enough firefighters, trained volunteers, equipment, nor money.
QUOTE From Bob Roper, Ventura County Fire Chief.
" ... the reality is that in a major wildfire, there will simply not be enough fire engines or firefighters to defend every home. ... Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. ... the most important person in protecting your life and property is not the firefighter, but you." END QUOTE.
REDUCE YOUR WILDFIRE RISK. PLAN AHEAD.
Reardon wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:11 AM:Same old, same old -- because it works. Government spends money on items that would never pass a vote, then has no money for its absolute requirements. It puts the requirements up for vote, knowing they will pass.
This is the old Air Force game: Build the O Club and golf course first, then go back to Congress for the runway money!
So long as we fall for this, government will continue doing it.
It works!
Fire Wise wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:25 AM:Preventing brushfires is a year-round responsibility of all stakeholders (property owners).
Create 100 feet [some communities 200 feet] of DEFENSIBLE SPACE surrounding your structure. Plant drought-tolerant, fire-resistive trees, shrubs and plants within the first 50 feet of the structure. Fire-resistive tree and plant lists are available. The next 50 feet of vegetation should be thinned out 50% and all dead plant material should be removed.
Thin out and remove combustible native vegetation and flammable materials within 30-feet of roadways and driveways (measure out 30-feet on both sides of the roadway). If desired, re-plant with fire-resistive landscaping that is permanently irrigated.
In the above mentioned 100-feet and 30-feet areas, weeds and grasses must be cut to 6 inches in height.
All dead, dying, or diseased trees must be removed. Native vegetation and tree branches must be trimmed back at least 10-feet from rooftops, chimneys, and outdoor barbecues.
Remove dead palm fronds on Palm Trees within 100 feet from a structure or 30 feet from a roadway/driveway.
All roadways - have a minimum height of 13-feet, 6-inches of vertical clearance free of vegetation within the roadway area.
Regularly remove combustible debris (leaves, pine needles, etc.) from rooftops and rain gutters.
Dispose of yard clippings, plant waste, trash, debris and other combustible materials in an appropriate manner.
Combustible materials must be kept at least 10-feet away from propane (LPG) tanks. Firewood - be neatly stacked and have a minimum of 30-feet of clearance around the entire firewood stack.
A numerical address must be prominently displayed from the street. Address must be at least 4-inches in height and mounted on a contrasting background. Parcel/Lot numbers are not appropriate.
If applicable, private gates must be equipped with an approved fire district gate access switch or strobe sensor. A Knox switch application may be obtained at your Fire Dept.
More Chrome Wheels wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:34 AM:The fire marshall Freds won't be getting an extra dime until they start spending what they already get more frugally. When I see all these trucks running around with polished Alcoa aluminum (high maintenance) wheels, chrome everything else, I wonder just how big their egos have to get before they understand their job isn't a popularity contest!
Encinitas wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:05 AM:The struggle here is between who pays and who controls the funds, and what is reasonable. The board composition proposed by Roberts accurately represents the funding source (83% urban, 17% rural), whereas the composition proposed by Jacobs reflects the reality of where the wildfires start. One solution is to charge the rural residents a higher tax (roughly 5 times what urban residents are being asked to pay), then have the backcountry residents represented on the board based on their contribution to the total funding. Maybe an intermediate solution would be to use fire risk information generated by the insurance industry to set the tax rates. The current proposal makes no sense and will not be approved by the voters; a condo owner in La Jolla would be taxed at the same rate as a horse ranch owner in Valley Center.
To Vista Watchdog wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:11 AM:I don't see anything about Tri City Med Center in this article. Welcome- we call this place earth.Where are you from?
To Reardon wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:57 AM:Who is the government you blame? You speak of it as if it were an evil force instead of what it actually is--the people. Our county supervisors are people who are part of our representative democracy, so that "government" that you attribute evil intent is people we elect to represent us, and they are proposing ways to improve our fire protection. If they are wrong, blame them, but stop blaming "government." Here are our alternatives: a dictatorship, a fascistic state, oligarchy, communism . . . which do you prefer?
Reardon wrote on Jul 27, 2008 12:06 PM:To ReardonL Reardon prefers communicating with elected officials to bow to the "common good" of providing FIRST the full funding of police and fire protection.
Elected officials listen to the people -- but only when they act in unison as in Prop. 13, or the aborted "Comprehensive Immigration Reform."
Until they act in unison, special interest groups with just a few members or support (like public art, or symphony, or fill-in-the-blank), with 100 people can easily overpower a concerned but uncommunicative public.
Defeat of this added tax would send a message to the elected officials -- but I would prefer letters and phone calls to elected officlals that caused them to reorient their priorities. That is unlikely -- so it is easier to vote "No!" than to write a series of letters.
Silence is assent.
VERY LITTLE HELP wrote on Jul 27, 2008 2:42 PM:The fires come when the wind is blowing and "NO ONE" stands a chance unless the winds stop. This includes firemen.
Our current fire departments have all they need and resources are plenty adaquate to catch the early stages of other non-wind driven fires.
When the wind is at 50MPH, even trained professionals with every bit of the latest equipment have to run for their lives!
Consolidation of all agencies could not hurt, but the plain and simple truth is each home owner is responsible for their own well being to be prepared to evacuate.
I suppose homes could be saved with more firemen and engines, but how much money is enough?
If I return and my home and it is lost, it is most likely my fault for not clearing my brush!
All the firemen in state could not save a large majority of these homes.
San Diegans are Cheapskates wrote on Jul 27, 2008 3:26 PM:We are so cheap it's pathetic. The embers have hardly cooled from the October fires and already our mayors are pretending they "don't know enough" to take a stand and get our firefighters what they need.
Why don't they just tell the truth: they don't have the courage to lead when it means, God forbid, people should be asked to pay. We shell out whatever the oil companies demand to fill up our cars, but we won't pay THE PRICE OF ONE TANK OF GAS for better resources for our fire fighters. It's $52 a year, people! You just put more $$ in your SUV sitting in the driveway! You better keep it gassed up, 'cause you'll need it to evacuate when the next fire comes and our fire fighters are caught up short again.
Lets All Just Run Away wrote on Jul 27, 2008 4:14 PM:Wow, and to think, silly gooses that we are, we thought that a well-trained and well-equipped fire crew and air fleet and latest firefighting technology would help save homes and lives, when a resident expert, VERY LITTLE HELP, could have saved us all that time and expense by simply informing us that these resources don't really help because in truth, it's every man for himself and it's your fault if your house burns down!
Larry wrote on Jul 27, 2008 4:20 PM:A more cost effective solution would be to make a one-time mass mailing of detailed instructions on how to operate a garden hose. That way, the county would gain hundreds of thousands of new firefighters at only a fraction of the cost.
Curly wrote on Jul 27, 2008 5:12 PM:Larry, I'd be willing to bet most people already know how to operate a garden hose, so why pay for instructions and mailing costs? Let's just tell our supervisors to cut off all firefighting resources and let each man fend for himself!
Reardon wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:30 PM:To San Diegans are Cheap: I have carefully checked the laws for many years -- there is ABSOLUTELY no prohibition to YOU sending the government as much money as you choose.
There is also no prohibition against the state government, or your local Fire District accepting YOUR money.
Write a check if you believe in the cause. While you are at it write another to the school district, and to Tri-City Medical – none of them ever have enough money!
To silly goose wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:54 PM:Who's fault is it when YOU move to an area that is covered with brush? Back up a minute and think about where you decided to live. Then tell us all how a fire engine at each house is really going to happen? Regardless of how much money is thrown at this issue. If you don't take charge of your life, don't expect the the government will. If you want to stay and risk your life it's your decision.
To To silly goose wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:55 PM:Why do you assume the only houses that burn are in areas covered by bush? The Witch Creek fire came down to Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, etc. How were people in e.,g., the coastal areas risking their lives by choosing to live there?
Government is a cooperative effort in which, in large enough numbers, the power of the people can do great things. It IS taking charge of our lives--and working as a group to do even more than we can do individually. The government is us. Without it we are an anarchy.
San Diegans are Cheapskates wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:22 PM:I have never had a problem paying my taxes--I happen to like having roads, a post office, police, fire and public schools where I can send my kids and know they will get a good education without a high tuition. Because I appreciate the good job my kids' teachers do, I contribute extra money to their school and donate to the school district. I have also contributed to many other causes in which I believe.
And fortunately, many other people also believe in paying their way, too, so we can have OUR OWN agencies, run by the people, because they haven't forgotten that we are a government of the people by the people and for the people, as Lincoln reminded us. So, no, not only do I not mind paying taxes, I'm glad to do it for the greater good.
JF wrote on Jul 28, 2008 5:42 AM:To More Chrome Wheels:
Aluminum wheels are lighter, thus more fuel efficient. More importantly, they transfer heat better. This improves braking. I guess that isn't too important unless you're the one who gets hit by a 20 ton fire engine.
Please don't let your pettiness get in the way of looking at all the different angles.
JF wrote on Jul 28, 2008 5:49 AM:Someone wrote that "local fire departments have all they need". This is not true. The San Diego FD recently failed accreditation because it is 50% short on resources. The national raters decided that we do not have the resources to protect the city on a day-to-day basis. Other cities in the region are the same.
So let's look to what Reardon said. For once I agree with him. There needs to be some re-prioritizing. The SDFD has had to put elevators in the newer fire stations because of ADA legislation. Think about that. The money spent to protect the rights of non-existent handicapped firefighters could have been used for a new fire engine instead.
Spend money on things that won't kill you after ensuring that you're protected as best as you can be from the things that will kill you.
reduce fire risk wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:23 AM:Interest and working to improve your fire/wildfire risks means you, your family, your pets, your homes, your communities will be safer.
Stakeholders (homeowners) must be involved.
The greater good means sweat time alloted for defensible space, etc.etc. From the ocean to the desert.
Plan ahead. Leave very early or Stay and defend.
" ... the reality is that in a major wildfire, there will simply not be enough fire engines or firefighters to defend every home. ... Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. ... the most important person in protecting your life and property is not the firefighter, but you."
do not mix politics fire wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:56 AM:The yearly tax ($52.00) for fire is ok except SD County does not have Fire Leadership.
The political posturing of our fire leaders does not help. They do not lead.
They write reports. The "Regional Fire Protection Committee Draft Final Report" is dated July 11, 2008. Over 8 months to create a 20 page "draft" report.
Simple info; easy to read report.
How much did this report cost us. A lot of money perhaps. Certainly, too much time considering it has much 'white space' and 10 words on the cover sheet.
The report is very late.
Action is needed.
Stakeholders (scientists, physicians, professors, self-educated such as Fire Safe Council reps, etc.) need to be included in these fire committees from report-writing time to action time.
Last lines of the report. QUOTE: "While our region is better off now than it was 5 years ago, more improvements are still needed. To make these improvements, which include improvements to all fire agencies in our region, a dedicated funding source must be created and the coordination must be a joint effort between all agencies within this region." END-QUOTE.
Report sounds just like the info from 2003.
Thanks JF wrote on Jul 28, 2008 12:23 PM:at least someone on here makes sense! and as far as polished chrome wheels....The fire department spends alot of time making sure that their uniforms, engines, and equipment looks clean and professional so that people that have no clue what it is like don't complain all the time about little, petty things. pick your battles.
PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT 52$ IN A YEAR?? PEOPLE SPEND THAT MUCH IN STARBUCKS IN A MONTH... SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP SAVE LIFE AND PROPERTY.
JF wrote on Jul 28, 2008 3:35 PM:I can't speak for everyone, but I keep my fire engine clean so that I can spot leaks quickly and get them fixed quickly before they become a big problem. One finds loose bolts, etc while cleaning. There's a method to the madness
Rodger wrote on Aug 6, 2008 10:39 PM:The monies are already there, re-allocate them appropriately and to the necessities. Asking for a little bit more won't amount to a hill of beans if the heat and winds are conducive to a "perfect" firestorm. We have been touched by two in the last 5 years that no amount of man and machines could have stopped and did stop until the winds changed or subsided.
- ESCONDIDO: Man shot dead at Fourth of July party (19)
- TEMECULA: Parade, fireworks draw thousands on nation's birthday (11)
- FALLBROOK: Peruvian chocolatier living sweet American dream (11)
- CARLSBAD: Golf benefit raises $20,000 for Conner's Cause (9)
- SAN PASQUAL VALLEY: Animal park offering extended hours, extra shows and activities (7)
Advertisement