Felton Fire Assessment Would More than Double District Budget, Shift from Volunteer to Paid Staffing
Property owners could receive ballots as early as May 20
The Felton Fire Protection District is asking property owners to approve a $1.7 million annual benefit assessment that would transform the district from a historically volunteer-based agency into a fully paid department. If the board votes to proceed on May 11, ballots are expected in mailboxes May 20.
The assessment — authorized under Proposition 218, a California constitutional provision requiring property owner approval for benefit-based charges — would raise the district’s annual operating budget from approximately $1.1 million to $2.8 million. The bulk of that increase, roughly $1.5 million, would go toward salaries.
The board voted 4-1 on February 13 to pursue the assessment. Director Erica Schwanbeck cast the dissenting vote, favoring a phased approach she believed would be less financially burdensome and more likely to earn voter approval.
The proposed budget would place Felton well above its three San Lorenzo Valley neighbors in salaries, cost per resident, and cost per call. Post-assessment, Felton’s cost per call would more than double Boulder Creek’s rate, serving a district one-third the size of Boulder Creek. Assessment costs to individual property owners will vary based on parcel size, use category, and number of structures, ranging from minimal amounts to roughly $30,000 annually for larger commercial and school district properties.The district has scheduled public information meetings on May 6 and May 16 at the Kirby Street conference room at Felton Fire Station. As of this writing, the district is still getting caught up posting its and meeting recordings. Follow updates at slvpost.com/felton-fire-tax
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