 Our priority as a fire district is to provide the most effective public safety services possible while stewarding well the financial resources that our citizens have entrusted to us. Just like everyone else, the current economic climate has created significant challenges in maintaining our desired levels of service.
Following an unsuccessful ballot measure in 2011 to raise the “lid” on the regular property tax levy, which provides approximately 75% of the District’s revenue, significant measures have been taken to reduce expenditures. Unfortunately, this means that reductions in the minimum daily staffing of our response units that were implemented in 2011 will have to continue for the foreseeable future. The result is less capacity for meeting the service demands of our growing community. All District staff have been diligent in their efforts to maintain our financial health. Adjustments in health benefits coupled with regional partnerships for vehicle maintenance and repair have allowed the District to lower the costs associated with wages and benefits by over 8% in a single year. We do not anticipate the need for further staff reductions this year and are already planning for how best to weather the challenges of an extended economic recovery. We will continue to invest in the training and safety of our most valuable resources, our personnel, along with maintaining the sound financial practices of expanding reserves and capital replacement funds. Please feel free to contact the District if you have any questions regarding our budgeting or financial practices.
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