HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09141993 - 1.169 Moraga Fire Dif trict
1280 Moraga Way, Moraga, CA 94556
Ed Lucas, Fire Chiu (415) 376-5454
August 20, 1993 R
ECEIVED u�
Honorable Tom Torlakson, Chair G 2 3 1993
Contra Costa Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa Administration Building RD OF SUPER i�SOf:;651 Pine Street RA COSTA CO.
Martinez, CA 94553
Re: Consolidation of Fire Districts
Dear Supervisor Torlakson:
The Moraga Fire Commission is unaware of any reason that would compel
action by the Board of Supervisors to consolidate the Moraga Fire
Protection District and we strongly oppose such action. In fact, there
are several reasons against political consolidation, not limited to, but
specifically including, the legal ramifications as they relate to our
fire flow tax, the retention of our reserves, and the exclusive emergency
medical services contract.
To date, functional integration that has taken place is supported by the
Moraga Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners, taking into
consideration the recent uncertainty of the State budget. However, the
residents of the Moraga Fire District have made it clear to the Fire
Commission that we protect the paramedic services, fire flow tax and the
District' s reserve funds.
Although final 1993/94 budgets have yet to be adopted, the State budget
bills appear to provide adequate funding for the current fiscal year.
Additionally, while other fire districts were spending their cash
reserves, we were increasing ours. The Moraga Fire District currently
has close to $1, 000, 000 which was generated by special local taxes and
which has been set aside for capital projects and fiscal emergencies.
These funds must be retained for the benefit of our local taxpayers and
not transferred to a successor agency in a consolidation.
Moraga voters have historically supported the Moraga Fire District by
approving special taxes to retain local service levels in three separate
elections. Conversely, voters in other county fire districts have failed
to support any increase in fire taxes. Additionally, previous attempts
at consolidation have been met by very strong opposition from residents
of our fire district.
It would, therefore, seem inappropriate for the Board of Supervisors to
continue to pursue consolidation of the Moraga Fire Protection District
now or at any time in the future.
Since ly,
Gordon Nathan, Chair
MO-i-aga Board of Fire Commissioners
GN/af
cc: Chief Allen Little