HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01261993 - 2A Contra
Costa
,CYTO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 's
o:
.. ,� County
FROM: PHIL BATCHELOR ��sT� ;x'
County Administrator
DATE: January 26, 1993
SUBJECT: COUNTY FIRE DISTRICTS BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS
Specific Request(s) or Recommendation(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Acknowledge the Clerk's receipt and approve reports from the Bethel
Island, Contra Costa County, Crockett-Carquinez, East Diablo, Oakley,
Orinda, Pinole, Riverview' and West County Fire Protection Districts
proposing the implementation of fire suppression benefit assessments
within said districts.
2. Ratify maximum proposed levels of benefit assessments outlined in this
report as approved by the Board on January 12, 1993 including revisions
made by the Board on January 19, 1993 and certain administrative
adjustments made by the fire chiefs for consideration at the below fixed
March 16 hearing.
3 . Fix March 16, 1993 at 10: 30 a.m. as the time set for public hearing on
the matter.
4. Direct the County Administrator and the County fire chiefs, in
conjunction with appropriate fire district committees to explore ways to
reduce the amount of the benefit assessments.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND:
On January .12, 1993 , the Board of Supervisors approved the report of the
County Administrator recommending the initiation of the benefit assessment
process by directing the fire districts to submit the required reports
documenting the need for the proposed benefit assessment.
Continued on Attachment:—X— YES Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator
Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other
Signature(s) :
Action of Board on: JanuarT26, 1993 Approved as Recommended--!--other X
SEE ADDENDUM ATTACHED FOR ACTION TAKEN BY THE BOARD ON THIS ITEM
Vote of Supervisors: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
X Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: ) BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Contact: Terry McGraw 646-4855 Attested: January 26. 1993
cc: County Administrator Phil Batchelor, Clerk of .
Auditor-Controller the Board of Supervisors
County Counsel and County Administrator
County and Indep. Fire Districts
United Professional By: =, DEPUTY
Firefighters Local 1230
The above-named County fire districts have prepared the attached reports
which discuss the expectation, based upon the Governor' s Proposed FY 1993-94
State Budget, that the State will shift property tax revenue from local
jurisdictions to the State. For fire districts, this will equal
approximately 55% of total fire district revenue.
The reports point out that the benefit assessment is the only feasible
replacement revenue available to fire districts to continue the provision of
fire service.
Presented below are the maximum benefit assessment levels approved by the
Board on January 12 and 19, 1993 for consideration on March 16. Also
included are administrative adjustments made by the chiefs of the Oakley and
Pinole Districts:
District Maximum Assessment
Bethel Island $273*
Contra Costa County 200
Crockett-Carquinez 130*
East Diablo 112
Oakley 68
Orinda 407
Pinole 82
Riverview 237
West 201
*These amounts were not available at the time of the previous Board meetings
but have since been calculated on the same basis as the other district
assessment levels.
The Oakley Fire Chief requested that the assessment be reduced from the
original $71 to $68. The reduction is possible as a result of the
recalculation of the required assessment. The reevaluation of the assessment
amount was based on the calculation procedure approved by the Board.
It is recommended that the Pinole Fire District maximum amount be increased
from the $62 figure approved by the Board to $82. The increase is the result
of a recalculation of the financial needs of the District on the same basis
as used for the other districts. The adjustment also reflects a reevaluation
of the District' s risk unit schedule which resulted in a reduction in the
number of risk units which, in turn, increased the amount of the maximum risk
unit.
The benefit assessment process involves holding a hearing publicized by a
mailed notice to every property owner subject to the proposed assessment. At
the time of the hearing, the Board will consider the level of protests
against the proposed assessments and determine whether the assessments (or
any portion thereof) can be fixed and levied or if the approved assessments
must be submitted for ratification by the voters.
From this date forward prior to the time of the hearing-, the County
Administrator, the fire districts and interested ad hoc committees
established by the Board will be exploring ways to reduce the required
amounts of the assessments.
2
ADDENDUM TO ITEM 2 .A FROM JANUARY 26, 1993 AGENDA
The Board considered the recommendations of the County
Administrator as set forth in his report.
The Board heard from the following interested persons :
Joseph P. Brenkle, 396 Cummings Skyway, Martinez
John Wolf, 820 Main Street, Martinez for the Contra Costa
Taxpayers Association
Ray Davis, 20 Zander Drive, Orinda
Seth Cockrell, 100 Fire Place, Knightsen
The Board discussed the matter of notice and what
constitutes a protest. It was determined that any form of
protest that identifies the protestor and the parcel will suffice
and that just signing the notice and noting that they protest
would be considered adequate. Supervisor Bishop suggested that
staff could look up the parcel number if the it could be
identified from the other information on the notice.
The Board discussed the hearing process and the time frame
required under the Bergerson Bill.
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED THAT it APPROVES, as amended, the
recommendations of the County Administrator relating to the
County Fire Protection Districts Benefit Assessments, including
FIXING March 16, 1993 at 10 : 30 a.m. as the time set for public
hearing thereon, and March 9, 1993 at 5: 00 p.m. to discuss the
proposed assessment, beginning with the Orinda Fire Protection
District .
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the question of what other
special districts are planning to do and urging that they look at
priorities in their own budgets is REFERRED to the Finance
Committee and the Fiscal Unity Committee.
BETHEL ISLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
( as the Board of Directors of the Bethel Island
Fire Prot ction District)
FROM: Jack Whi ever, Fire Chief
Bethel Island Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Bethel Island Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed
assessment; and
3 . if after the public hearing the amount of the legal
protest is less than 50, adopt a resolution to implement
the assessment.
REQUIRED- REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to
pursue the levying of a benefit assessment within the District,
this report has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the
District, in consultation with the District' s Board of Fire
Commissioners.
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3 .6 (Sec. 50078-50078. 20) authorizes
the governing body of a county fire protection district to
determine and levy annual assessments for fire suppression services
(to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel)
after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be
assessed.
The Governor' s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1,
1993 to June 30, 1994) plans to take away from fire districts a
significant amount of their current property tax revenue and use
those funds for other purposes. While the percentage of property
taxes to be lost varies from fire district to fire district, the
average property tax loss would be approximately 5501 Nearly all
of the Bethel Island Fire Protection District' s funding comes from
the property tax. Obviously, such a major reduction in property
tax revenue would have a devastating impact on the Fire District' s
ability to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services.
The one fire station in the Bethel Island Fire Protection District
would be closed along with the layoff of firefighters who staff the
station. The result would be unacceptably high response times to
emergencies involving life and death and the destruction of
property when time is of the essence. Furthermore, the number of
remaining volunteer firefighters would be inadequate to deal with
major calls for help as well as to arrive at an emergency scene in
a reliable, dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the
Bethel Island Fire Protection District has proposed the Benefit
Assessment as a way to provide replacement revenue during Fiscal
Year 1993-94 in the event the Governor's proposal to take property
taxes from fire . districts is actually carried out. The Benefit
Assessment would provide for the continuation of the current level
of fire protection services to the citizens of the Fire District,
including keeping open the existing fire station.
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range
from $0 up to a maximum of $273. The amount actually assessed
would depend on the extent of property tax losses the District may
experience as a result of future State budget action. The
assessment would cover the following five Fiscal Years, 1993-94
through 1997-98, and would terminate thereafter. The maximum base
Fiscal Year ( 1993-94) amount may increase annually to reflect
changes in the U.S. CPI and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE
INITIAL FISCAL YEAR ( 1993-94)
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
2
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price
Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five ( 5) fiscal years for the period of July 1, 1993 through
June 30, 1998.
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires that assessment's consist of uniform
schedules and rates, based upon the type of use of property
and the risk classification of the structures or other
improvements on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this
proposed assessment, the following factors were considered for
each category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s
use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation 'of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set
for hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the
signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as
the owner of that property, the protest shall contain written
evidence that the signers are the holders of the property
interest proposed to be charged.
3
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent
but less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected
revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall
either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of
the district or abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue .from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources ( i.e. , personnel
and apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As
a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk
unit allocations, appropriate for their ,unique
characteristics, based on the same standards used to determine
risk unit allocations for the typical. properties within the
use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor' s parcel number, in the listing filed with this
report.
4
r ,
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ®� FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
o.�
FIRE CHIEF BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
William F. Maxfield Edward B. Haynes
2010 Geary Road
Donald J. Macintosh Pleasant Hill, California 94523-4694 B. Palmer Riedel
TELEPHONE (510) 930-5500
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the Contra
Costa County Fire Protection District)
FROM: William F. Maxfield, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1 . receive this report;
2 . hold the required public hearing on the proposed assessment;
and
3 . if after the public hearing the amount of the legal protests
is less than 5%, adopt a resolution to implement the
assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to pursue
the levying of a benefit assessment within the District, this report
has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the District, in
consultation with the District' s Board of Fire Commissioners .
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3 . 6 (Sec. 50078-50078 . 20) authorizes the
governing body of a county fire protection district to determine and
levy annual assessments for fire suppression services (to obtain,
operate and maintain fire suppression equipment an apparatus and pay
salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel) after the completion
of a public hearing ,for which individual notice has .been given to
every owner of property proposed to be assessed.
Serving the communities of Clayton,Concord,Lafayette,Martinez,Pleasant Hill,
Walnut Creek, and some unincorporated County areas
The Governor' s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1, 1993
to June 30, 1994) plans to take away from fire districts a significant
amount of their current property tax revenue and use those funds for
other purposes . While the percentage of property taxes to be lost
varies from fire district to fire district, the average property tax
loss would be approximately 55% ! Nearly all of the Contra Costa
County Fire Protection District' s funding comes from the property. tax.
Obviously, such a major reduction in property tax revenue would have a
devastating impact on the Fire. District' s ability to provide fire
suppression and emergency medical services . Over 50% of the 17
staffed fire stations in. the Contra Costa County Fire Protection
District would be closed along with the layoff of firefighters who
staff the stations . The result would be unacceptably high response
times to emergencies involving life and death and the destruction of
property when time is of the essence. Furthermore, the number of
remaining firefighters would be inadequate to deal with major calls
for help as well as to arrive at an emergency scene in a reliable,
dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has proposed the Benefit
Assessment as a way to provide replacement revenue during Fiscal Year
1993-94 in the event the Governor' s proposal to take property taxes
from fire districts is actually carried out. The Benefit Assessment
would provide for the continuation of the current level of fire
protection services to the citizens of the Fire District, including
keeping open the existing 17 fire stations, and providefunds for a
modest level of growth.
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from
$0 up to a maximum of $200 . The amount actually assessed would depend
on the extent of property tax losses the District may experience as a
result of future State budget action. The assessment would cover the
following five (5) Fiscal Years, 1993-94 through 1997-98, and would
terminate thereafter. The maximum base Fiscal Year ( 1993-94 ) amount
may increase annually to reflect changes in the U.S. Consumer Price
Index and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE INITIAL
FISCAL YEAR ( 1993-94 ) :
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR:
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
-2-
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Five (5) Fiscal Years for the period of July 1, 1993 through
June 30, 1998 .
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform schedules
and rates, based upon the type of use of property and the risk
classification of the structures or other improvements on, or the
use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this proposed
assessment, the following factors were considered for each
category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s use code:
1 . frequency of fire incidents;
2 . fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;
4 . process hazard;
5 . exposure hazard; and
6 . mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems .
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS:
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set for
hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and the
interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the signers
are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as the owner
of that property, the protest shall contain written evidence that
the signers are the holders of the property interest proposed to
be charged.
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent but
less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected revenue from
the assessment, the proposed assessment shall either be submitted
to approval by a majority of the voters of the district or
abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
-3-
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED:
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources (i .e. , personnel and
apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level .
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES:
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As a
result, these properties have been assigned specific risk unit
allocations, appropriate for their unique characteristics, based
On the same standards used to determine risk unit allocations for
the typical properties within the use code. These properties
have been specifically identified, by Assessor' s parcel number,
in the listing filed with this report.
-4-
CROCKETT-CARQUINEZ FIRM PROTECTION DISTRICT
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the Crockett-Carquinez
Fire Protection District)
J
FROM: Gerald C. Llettleton, Fire Chief
Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed
assessment; and
3. if after the public hearing the amount of the legal
protest is less than 50, adopt a resolution to implement
the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to
pursue the levying of a benefit assessment within the District,
this report has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the
District, in consultation with the District' s Board of Fire
Commissioners.
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3. 6 (Sec. 50078-50078. 20) authorizes
the governing body of a county fire protection district to
determine and levy annual assessments for fire suppression services
(to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel)
after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be
assessed.
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price
Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five ( 5) fiscal years for the period of July 1,. 1993 through
June 30, 1998.
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform
schedules and rates, based upon the type of use of property
and the risk classification of the structures or other
.improvements on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this
proposed assessment, the following factors were considered for
each category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s
use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set
for hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description_ of the property and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the
signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as
the owner of that property, the protest shall contain written
evidence that the signers are the holders of the property
interest proposed to be charged.
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent
but less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected
revenue from the• assessment, the proposed assessment shall
either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of
the district or. abandoned.
3
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources ( i.e. , personnel
and apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some. properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As
.a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk
unit allocations, appropriate for their unique
characteristics, based on the same standards used to determine
risk unit allocations for the typical properties within the
use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor's parcel number, in the listing filed with this
report.
4
EAST DIABLO Fire Protection District
745 First Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
Paul Hein (310)634-3400
Fire Chief Fax:(3 10)634-1423
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the East
Diablo Fire Protection District)
FROM: Paul Hein, Fire Chief
East Diablo Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
East Diablo Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed
assessment; and
3. if after the public hearing the amount of the legal
protest is less than 5%, adopt a resolution to implement
the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board's resolution indicating its intent to
pursue the levying of a benefit assessment within the District,
this report has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the
District, in consultation with the District's Board of Fire
Commissioners.
1
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3 . 6 (Sec. 50078-50078.20) authorizes
the governing body of a county fire protection district to
determine and levy annual assessments for fire suppression services
(to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel)
after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be
assessed.
The Governor's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1,
1993 to June 30, 1994) plans to take away from fire districts a
significant amount of their current property tax revenue and use
those funds for other purposes. While the percentage of property
taxes to be lost varies from fire district to fire district, the
average property tax loss would be approximately 50%! Nearly all
of the East Diablo Fire District's funding comes from the property
tax. Obviously, such a major reduction in property tax revenue
would have a devastating impact on the Fire District's ability to
provide fire suppression and emergency medical services. Over 50%
of the five (5) staffed fire stations in the East Diablo Fire
Protection District would be closed along with the layoff of
firefighters who staff the stations. The result would be
unacceptably high response times to emergencies involving life and
death and the destruction of property when time is of the essence.
2
Furthermore, the number of remaining firefighters would be
inadequate to deal with major calls for help as well as to arrive
at an emergency scene in a reliable, dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the
East Diablo Fire Protection District has proposed the Benefit
Assessment as a way to provide replacement revenue during Fiscal
Year 1993-94 in the event of the Governor's proposal to take
property taxes from fire districts is actually carried out. The
Benefit Assessment would provide for the continuation of the
current level of fire protection services to the citizens of the
Fire District, including keeping open the existing five (5) staffed
fire stations, and provide funds for a modest level of growth.
The initial assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from $0
up to a maximum of $112 . 00. The amount actually assessed would
depend on the extent of property tax losses the District may
experience as a result of future State budget action. The
assessment would cover the following five Fiscal Years, 1993-94
through 1997-98, and would terminate thereafter. The maximum base
Fiscal Year (1993-94) amount may increase annually to reflect
changes in the U.S. CPI and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT
3
Contained in the listing filed the report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE
INITIAL FISCAL YEAR (1993-94) .
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price
Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five (5) Fiscal Years for the period of July 01, 1993 through
June 30, 1998 .
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform
schedules and rates, based upon the type of use of property
and the risk classification of the structures or other
improvements on, or the use of, the property.
4
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this
proposed assessment, the following factors were considered for
each category of property and indicated in the County
Assessor's. use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2 . fire flow requirements;
3. life hazard;
4 . process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set
for hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient tG identify the property.
5
If the signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment
roll as the owner of that property, the protest shall contain
written evidence that the signers are the holders of the
property interest proposed to be charged.
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent
but less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected
revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall
either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of
the district or abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources (i.e. , personnel
and apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level .
6
RISK UNIT ASSIGNEMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code.
As a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk
unit allocations, appropriate for their unique
characteristics, based on the same standards used to determine
risk unit allocations for the typical properties within the
use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor's parcel number, in the listing filed with this
report.
7
OAKLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the Oakley
Fire Protec on District)
FROM: Joe Tovar, Fire Chief
Oakley Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment
Oakley Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed
assessment; and
3. if after the public hearing the amount of the legal
protest is less than 50, adopt a resolution to implement
the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to
pursue the levying of a benefit assessment within the District,
this report has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the
District, in consultation with the District' s Board of Fire
Commissioners.
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3 . 6 (Sec. 50078-50078. 20) authorizes
the governing body of a county fire protection district to
determine and levy annual assessments for fire suppression services
(to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel)
after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be
assessed.
n
The Governor's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1,
1993 to June 30, 1994) plans to take away from fire . districts a
significant amount of their current property tax revenue and use
those funds for other purposes. While the percentage of property
taxes to be lost varies from fire district to fire district, the
average property tax loss would be approximately 5501 Nearly all
of the Oakley Fire Protection District' s funding comes from the
property tax. Obviously, such a major reduction in property tax
revenue would have a devastating impact on the Fire District' s
ability to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services.
One of the two fire stations in the Oakley Fire Protection District
would be closed along with the layoff of volunteer firefighters who
staff the stations. The result would be unacceptably high response
times to emergencies involving life and death and the destruction
of property when time is of the essence. Furthermore, the number
of remaining volunteer firefighters would be inadequate to deal
with major calls . for help as well as to arrive at an emergency
scene in a reliable, dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the
Oakley Fire Protection District has proposed the Benefit Assessment
as a way to provide replacement revenue during Fiscal Year 1993-94
in the event the Governor' s proposal to take property taxes from
fire districts is actually carried out. The Benefit Assessment
would provide for the continuation of the current level of fire
protection services to the citizens of the Fire District, including
keeping open the existing two fire stations, and provide funds for
a modest level of growth.
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range
from $0 up to a maximum of $68. The amount actually assessed would
depend on the extent of property tax losses the District may
experience as a result of future State budget action. The
assessment would cover the following five Fiscal Years, 1993-94
through 1997-98, and would terminate thereafter. The maximum base
Fiscal Year (1993-94) amount may increase annually to reflect
changes in the U.S. CPI and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE
INITIAL FISCAL YEAR (1993-94)
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
2.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price
Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five ( 5) fiscal years for the period of July 1, 1993 through
June 30, 1998.
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform
schedules and rates, based upon the type of use of property
and the risk classification of the structures or other
improvements on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this
proposed assessment, the following factors were considered for
each category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s
use code:
1. frequency of. fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;,
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set
for hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the.
signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as
the owner of that property, the protest shall contain written
evidence that the signers are the holders of the property
interest proposed to be charged.
3
If the dollar amount of -protests equals more than 5 percent
but less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected
revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall
either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of
the district or abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources (i.e. , personnel
and apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban. congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation-as the typical properties in the use code. As
a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk
unit allocations, appropriate for their unique
characteristics, based on the same standards used to determine
risk unit allocations for the typical properties within the
use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor' s. parcel number, in the listing filed with this
report.
4
Orioda Are Protediolf District
33 ORINDA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563 • (415) 254-1110
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the Orinda Fire
Protection District)
FROM: John Cooper, Acting Fire Chief `
Orinda Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Orinda Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed assessment; and
3. if after the public hearing the amount of the legal protest is less than 5%,
adopt a resolution to implement the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board's resolution indicating its intent to pursue the levying of a
benefit assessment within the District, this report has been prepared by the Acting Chief
and staff of the District, in consultation with the District's Board of Fire Commissioners.
State Government Code Article 3.6 (Sec. 50078-50078.20) authorizes the governing body
of a county fire protection district to determine and levy annual assessments for fire
suppression services (to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel) after the completion of
a public hearing for which individual notice has been given to every owner of property
1
proposed to be assessed.
The Governor's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994)
plan to take away from fire districts a significant amount of their current property tax
revenue and use those funds for other purposes. While the percentage of property taxes
to be lost varies from fire district to fire district, the average property tax loss would be
approximately 55%! Nearly all of the Orinda Fire Protection District's funding comes
from the property tax. Obviously, such a major reduction in property tax revenue would
have a devastating impact on the Fire District's ability to provide fire suppression and
emergency medical services. Over 50% of the three staffed fire stations in the Orinda
Fire Protection District would be closed along with the layoff of firefighters who staff the
stations. The result would be unacceptably high response times to emergencies involving
life and death and the destruction of property when time is of the essence. Furthermore,
the number of remaining firefighters would be inadequate to deal with major calls for help
as well as to arrive at an emergency scene in a reliable, dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the Orinda Fire Protection
District has proposed the Benefit Assessment as a way to provide replacement revenue
during Fiscal Year 1993-94 in the event the Governor's proposal to take property taxes
from fire districts is actually carried out. The Benefit Assessment would provide for the
continuation of the current level of fire protection services to the citizens of the Fire
District, including keeping open the existing three fire stations.
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from $0 up to a
maximum of $407.00. The amount actually assessed would depend on the extent of
property tax losses the District may experience as a result of future State budget action.
The assessment would cover the following five Fiscal Years, 1993-94 thought 1997-98,
and would terminate thereafter. The maximum base Fiscal Year (1993-94) amount may
increase annually to reflect changes in the U.S. CPI and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE
INITIAL FISCAL YEAR (1993-94)-
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
2
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH
LOT OR PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR:
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing filed with this report
and as may be increased annually to reflect changes in population and the
U.S.Consumer Price Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Five (5) Fiscal years for the period of July 1, 1993 thru June 30, 1998.
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform schedules and rates, based
upon the type of use of property and the risk classification of the structures or
other improvement on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this proposed assessment, the
following factors were considered for each category of property indicated in the
County Assessor's use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3. life hazard;
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all properties to be assessed
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS:
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set for hearing to the Clerk
of the Board of Supervisors, shall be in writing, shall contain a description of the
property and the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
3
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the signers are not shown on the
last equalized assessment roll as the owner of that property, the protest shall
contain written evidence that the signers are the holders of the property interest
proposed to be charged.
If the dollar amount of protest equals more than 5 percent but less than 50 percent
of the total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the proposed
assessment shall either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of the
district or abandoned.
If the value of the protest equals 50 percent or more of the total amount of
expected revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall be
abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED:
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the availability of fire
suppression resources (i.e., personnel and apparatus) and generally maintaining
response times at the present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES:
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as unusual size, extreme
risk hazards, built-in fire suppression systems, remote location, or urban
congestion, would not be fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the
same use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk unit allocation
as the typical properties in the use code. As a result, these properties have been
assigned specific risk unit allocations, appropriate for their unique characteristics,
based on the same standards used to determine risk unit allocations for the typical
properties within the use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor's parcel number, in the listing filed with this report.
4
PINOLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the Pinole
Fire Protection
District)
FROM: Mike Rad iffe, Fire Chief
Pinole Fire Protection District
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Pinole Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed
assessment; and
3 . if after the public hearing the amount of the legal
protest is less than 50, adopt a resolution to implement
the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to
_ pursue the levying of a benefit assessment within the District,
this .report has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the
District, in consultation with the District' s Board of Fire
Commissioners.
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3.6 (Sec. 50078-50078. 20) authorizes
the governing body of a county fire protection district to
determine and levy annual assessments for fire suppression services
(to obtain, operate and maintain fire suppression equipment and
apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel)
after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be
assessed.
1
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price
Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five ( 5) fiscal years for the period of July 1, 1993 through
June 30, 1998 .
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires that assessments, consist of uniform
schedules and rates, based upon the type of use of property
and the risk classification of the structures or other
improvements on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this
proposed assessment, the following factors were considered for
each category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s
use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set
for hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the
signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as
the owner of that property, the protest shall contain written
evidence that the signers are the holders of .the property
interest proposed to .b'le charged.
3
1
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent
but less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected
revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall
either be submitted to approval by a majority of the voters of
the district or abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources ( i.e. , personnel
and apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size, extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, . if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As
a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk
unit allocations, appropriate for their unique
characteristics, based on the same standards used to determine
risk unit allocations for the typical properties within the
use code. These properties have been specifically identified,
by Assessor' s parcel number, in the listing filed with this
report.
4
klvervi-e4
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Fire Commissioners:
Chief
ALLEN LITTLE January 25, 1993 ROBERT BALDRIDGE
HORACE A.ENEA
SIG LANSTROM
BOB LEWIS
ELIZABETH RIMBAULT
To: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors EDWARD SPENCER,Jr.
(as the Board of Directors of the Riverview Fire JOE TOVAR,Jr.
Protection District)
From: Allen Little, Fire Chief
Riverview Fire Protection District
Subject: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
Riverview Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. receive this report;
2. hold the required public hearing on the proposed assessment;
and
3. if after the public hearing the amount of the legal protest is
less than 5%, adopt a resolution to implement the assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board's resolution indicating its intent to pursue the levying
of a benefit assessment within the district, this report has been prepared by the
Chief and staff of the District, in consultation with the District's Board of
Fire Commissioners.
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3.6 (Sec. 50078-50078.20) authorizes the governing
body of a county fire protection district to determine and levy annual
assessments for fire suppression services (to obtain, operate and maintain fire
suppression equipment and apparatus and pay salaries and benefits of fire
fighting personnel) after the completion of a public hearing for which individual
notice has been given to every owner of property proposed to be assessed.
The Governor's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1, 1993 to June 30,
1994) plans to take away from fire districts a significant amount of their
current property tax revenue and use those funds for other purposes. Nearly all
of the Riverview Fire Protection District's funding comes from the property tax,
the lost revenue may amount to 75% of the current budget! Obviously, such a
major reduction in property tax revenue would have a devastating impact on the
Fire District's ability to provide fire suppression and emergency medical
services. Over 50% of the seven staffed fire stations in the Riverview Fire
Protection District would be closed along with the layoff of firefighters who
staff the stations. The result would be unacceptably high response times to
1500 WEST FOURTH STREET—ANTIOCH,CALIFORNIA 94509-1099—TELEPHONE(510)757-1303—FAX(510)754-8852
emergencies involving life and death and the destruction of property when time
is of the essence. Furthermore, the number of remaining firefighters would be
inadequate to deal with major calls for help as well as to arrive at an emergency
scene in a reliable dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the Riverview Fire
Protection District has proposed the Benefit Assessment as a way to provide
replacement revenue during Fiscal Year 1993-94 in the event the Governor's
proposal to take property taxes from fire districts is actually carried out. The
Benefit Assessment Would provide for the continuation of the current level of
fire protection services to the citizens of the Fire District, including keeping
open the existing seven fire stations, fulfill our commitment to an eighth
station in the West Pittsburg Area, and provide funds for a modest level of
growth.
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from $0 up to
a maximum of $237_ The amount actually assessed would depend on the extent of
property tax losses the District may experience as a result of future State
budget action. The assessment would cover the following five Fiscal Years, 1993-
94 through 1997-99, and would terminate thereafter_ The maximum base Fiscal Year
(1993-94) amount may increase annually to .reflect changes in the U.S. Consumer
Price Index and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE ASSESSMENT
contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE INITIAL FISCAL YEAR
(1993 - 94)
contained in listing filed with this report.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL DURINC
ANY FISCAL YEAR
equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing filed wish
this report and as may be increased annually to reflect changes in
population and. the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Five (5) Fiscal Years for the period of July 1, 1993 through June 30, 1998.
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
State law requires hat assessments consist of uniform schedules and
rates, based upon the type of use of property and the risk classification
of the structures or other improvements on, or the use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this proposed
assessment, the following factors were considered for each category of
property indicated ir. the County Assessor's use code:
1. frequency of fire incidents;
2. fire flow requirements;
3. life hazard;
4. process hazard;
5. exposure hazard; and
6. mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire protection
systems.
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all properties to be
assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set for hearing to
the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be in writing, shall contain
a description of the ?roperty and the interest in the property which each
signer of the protest represents, sufficient to identify the property. If
the signers are not .shown on the last equalized assessment roll as the
owner of that property, the protest shall contain written evidence that
the signers are the holders of the property interest proposed to be
charged.
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent but less than
50 percent of the total amount of Expected revenue from the assessment,
the proposed assessment shall either be submitted to approval by a
majority of the voters of the district or abandoned_
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the total amount
of expected revenue from the assessment, the proposed assessment shall be
abandoned.
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources (i.e. , personnel and apparatus)
and generally maintaining response times at the present level.
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as unusual size,
extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression systems, remote location,
or urban congestion, would not be fairly assessed, in relation to typical
properties in the same use code designation, if they had been assigned the
same risk unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As
a result, these properties have been assigned specific risk unit
allocations, appropriate for their unique characteristics, based on the
same standards used to determine risk unit allocations for the typical
properties within the use code. These properties have been specifically
r
WEST- COU N TY FIRE DISTRICT
330 TWENTY-FIFTH STREET
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94804
PHONE: (510) 307-8050
January 26, 1993
TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(as the Board of Directors of the West
County Fire Protection District)
FROM: William F. Maxfield, Acting Fire Chief % C
SUBJECT: Implementation of Fire Suppression - Benefit Assessment
West County Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1 . receive this report;
2 . hold the required public hearing on the proposed assessment;
and
3 . if after the public hearing the amount of the legal protests
is less than 5%, adopt a resolution to implement the
assessment.
REQUIRED REPORT:
As provided in the Board' s resolution indicating its intent to pursue
the levying of a benefit assessment within the District, this report
has been prepared by the Chief and staff of the District, in
consultation with the District' s Board of Fire Commissioners .
BACKGROUND
State Government Code Article 3 . 6 (Sec. 50078-50078 . 20) authorizes the
governing body of a county fire protection district to determine and
levy annual assessments for fire suppression services (to obtain,
operate and maintain fire suppression equipment an apparatus and pay
salaries and benefits of firefighting personnel) after the completion
of a public hearing for which individual notice has been given to
every owner of property proposed to be assessed.
The Governor' s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94 (July 1, 1993
to June . 30, 1994) plans to take away from fire districts a significant
amount of their current property tax revenue and use those funds for
other purposes . While the percentage of property taxes to be lost
varies from fire district to fire district, the average property tax
loss would be approximately 55% ! Nearly all of the West County Fire
Protection District' s funding comes from the property tax. Obviously,
such a major reduction in property tax revenue would have a
devastating impact on the Fire District' s ability to provide fire
suppression and emergency medical services . It is likely that both
of the two (2) staffed fire stations in the West County Fire
Protection District would be closed along with the layoff of
firefighters who staff the stations. The result would be unacceptably
high response times to emergencies involving life and death and the
destruction of property when time is of the essence. Furthermore, the
number of any remaining personnel would be inadequate to deal with
major calls for help as well as to arrive at an emergency scene in a
reliable, dependable manner.
In response to this potential financial threat from the State, the
West County Fire Protection District has proposed the Benefit
Assessment as a way to provide replacement revenue during Fiscal Year
1993-94 in the event the Governor' s proposal to take property taxes
from fire districts is actually carried out. The Benefit Assessment
would provide for the continuation of the current level of fire
protection services to the citizens of the Fire District, including
keeping open the existing two (2) fire stations .
The initial annual assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from
$0 up to a maximum of $201 . The amount actually assessed would depend
on the extent of property tax losses the District may experience as a
result of future State budget action. , The assessment would cover the
following five (5) Fiscal Years, 1993-94 through 1997-98, and would
terminate thereafter. The maximum base Fiscal Year ( 1993-94) amount
may increase annually to reflect changes in the U.S. Consumer Price
Index and population.
DESCRIPTION OF EACH LOT OR PARCEL PROPOSED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE
ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED FOR EACH LOT OR PARCEL FOR THE INITIAL
FISCAL YEAR ( 1993-94 ) :
Contained in the listing filed with this report.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT WHICH MAY BE LEVIED FOR EACH LOT OR
PARCEL DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR:
Equal to the initial maximum amount identified in the listing
filed with this report and as may be increased annually to
reflect changes in population and the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
-2-
(' 1
DURATION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Five (5) Fiscal Years for the period of July 1, 1993 through
June 30, 1998 .
BASIS OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
State law requires that assessments consist of uniform schedules
and rates, based upon the type of use of property and the risk
classification of the structures or other improvements on, or the
use of, the property.
In developing the uniform schedules and rates for this proposed
assessment, the following factors were considered for each
category of property indicated in the County Assessor' s use code:
1 . frequency of fire incidents;
2 . fire flow requirements;
3 . life hazard;
4 . process hazard;
5 . exposure hazard; and
6 . mitigation of risk by installation of built-in fire
protection systems .
SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
Contained in the listing filed with this report for all
properties to be assessed.
PROTEST PROCEDURE AND THRESHOLDS:
Any protests shall be delivered not later than the hour set for
hearing to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, shall be
in writing, shall contain a description of the property and the
interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents, sufficient to identify the property. If the signers
are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as the owner
of that property, the protest shall contain written evidence that
the signers are the holders of the property interest proposed to
be charged.
If the dollar amount of protests equals more than 5 percent but
less than 50 percent of the total amount of expected revenue from
the assessment, the proposed assessment shall either be submitted
to approval by a majority of the voters of the district or
abandoned.
If the value of the protests equals 50 percent or more of the
total amount of expected revenue from the assessment, the
proposed assessment shall be abandoned.
-3-
BENEFIT OF ASSESSMENT TO PROPERTY ASSESSED:
All properties subject to the assessment will benefit from the
availability of fire suppression resources (i .e. , personnel and
apparatus) and generally maintaining response times at the
present level .
RISK UNIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNIQUE PROPERTIES:
Some properties, because of unique characteristics, such as
unusual size; extreme risk hazards, built-in fire suppression
systems, remote location, or urban congestion, would not be
fairly assessed, in relation to typical properties in the same
use code designation, if they had been assigned the same risk
unit allocation as the typical properties in the use code. As a
result, these properties have been assigned specific risk unit
allocations, appropriate for their unique characteristics, based
on the same standards used to determine risk unit allocations for
the typical properties within the use code. These properties
have been specifically identified, by Assessor' s parcel number,
in the listing filed with this report.
-4-
DATE: aG 93
REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM
(THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before
addressing the Board.
NAME: cldS4541-r PHONE'
ADDRESS: 396 el,,IV il/"S CITY: /y ,P>iyEz
I am speaking formyself OR organization: /3.r°�.✓.�� �' ,�v�,Pr�.�rs�-s ivc
NAME OF ORGA IZ10.10N)
Check one:
I wish to speak on Agenda Item # _.
My comments will be: general for against A
I wish to speak on the subject of
I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.
SPEAKERS
1. Deposit the "Request to Speak" form (on the reverse side) in the box next to the speakers'
microphone before your item is to be considered.
2. You will be called to make your presentation. Please speak into the microphone.
3. Begin by stating your name and address; whether you. are speaking for yourself or as a
representative of an.organization.
4. Give the Clerk a copy of your presentation or support documentation, if available.
5. Please limit your presentation to three minutes. Avoid repeating.comments made by previous
speakers. (The Chair may limit-length of presentations so all persons may be heard.)
DATE: Z 6
REQUEST To SPEAK FORM
(THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT)
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before
addressing the Board.
NAME: J0a&) U;>1:9 -000 PHONE: 22-3--5610
ADDRESS: 01;-10 x1fel liA-) 5�, CITY: 2,
I am speaking formyself OR organization: �yaxr/ G�s�a I�tDs� �1
Check one: (NAME OF ORGAN IZV-10N)
X I wish to speak on Agenda Item # 2.4
My comments will be: general for against
I wish to speak on the subject of
I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.
SPEAKERS
1. Deposit the "Request to Speak" form (on the reverse side) in the box next to the speakers'
microphone before your item is to be considered.
2. You will be called to make your presentation. Please speak into the microphone.
3. Begin, ,by stating your name and address; whether you are speaking., for yourself or as a
representative of an organization.
4. Give the Clerk a copy of your presentation or support documentation, if available.
5. Please limit your presentation to three minutes. Avoid repeating comments made by previous
speakers. (The Chair may limit-length of presentations so all persons may be heard.)
DATE:
REgUMT To SPEAK FORM
(THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT)
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before
addressing the Board.
NAME: I PHONE:��T
i .
ADDRESS: 0� �-� CITY: !k
I am speaking formyself OR organization:
Check one: (NAME OFORGAN(7V'lOti)
I wish to sP eak on Agenda Item # Lea;Ak4
My comments will be: general for against
I wish to speak on the subject of
I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.
y ,
SPEAKERS
1. 'Deposit the "Request to Speak" form (on the reverse side) in the box next to the speakers'
microphone before your item is to be considered.
2. You will be called to make your presentation. Please speak into the microphone.
3. Begin by stating your name and address; whether you are speaking for yourself or as a
representative of an organization.
4. Give the Clerk a copy of your presentation or support documentation, if available.
5. Please limit your presentation to three minutes. Avoid repeating comments made by previous
'speakers. (The Chair may limit length of presentations so all persons may be heard.)
DATE:
REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM
(THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before-
addressing the Board.
NAME: e�� �c� �v �G/ PHONE: �PS E 3 C�
ADDRESS: /0D /-51 r G CITY:
I am speaking formyself OR organization: oa k f4-/
(NAME OF ORGANIZATION)
Check one:
I wish to speak on Agenda Item #
My comments will be: general for against
I wish to speak on the subject of
I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.
SPEAKERS
1. Deposit the "Request to Speak" form (on the reverse side) in the box next to the speakers'
microphone before your item is to be considered.
2. You willbe called to make your presentation. Please speak into the microphone.
3. Begin by stating your name and address; whether you are speaking .for yourself or as a
representative of an organization.
4. Give the Clerk a copy of your presentation or support documentation. if available.
5. Please limit your presentation to three minutes. Avoid repeating comments made by previous
speakers. (The Chair may limit'lengtivof presentations so all persons may be heard.)
Parcel No.
Return Address:
Property Owner CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
&Address 651 Pine Street, Room 106
Martinez, CA 94553
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINQ ON FIRE SUPPRESSION
ASSESSMENTS AND AVAILABILITY OF REPORT
The Board of Supervisors as the governing body. of the
Fire Protection District_ will hold a public hearing
on March 16, 1993 on this matter at 10: 30 a.m. in the Board of
Supervisors Chambers, County Administration Building, 651 Pine
Street, Martinez, California, for final consideration of the report
submitted by the Fire Chief of Fire Protection
District proposing that fire suppression assessments be levied on
your real property located in the District. Your initial annual
assessment for Fiscal Year 1993-94 could range from $0 up to a
maximum of $ , depending on the property tax losses the
District may experience as a result of State budget action.
At the time, date and place specified above, the Board will hear
and consider all comments or protests, if any, to the said report,
and may, thereafter, by ordinance or resolution, determine and levy
the assessments. At any time not later than the hour set for the
hearing on March 16, 1993 , any holder whether a fee owner, lessee,
or otherwise, of the interest in the property which is proposed to
be assessed and who will be obligated to pay any proposed
assessments, may make written protest against the proposed
assessments. The protest shall be in writing, shall contain a
description of the property including the above parcel number and
the name of the fire district mentioned in the first paragraph and
the interest in the property which each signer of the protest
represents , sufficient to identify the property, and, if the
signers are not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as the
owners of that property, shall contain or be accompanied by written
evidence that the signers are the holders of the property interest
proposed to be charged and :who will be obligated to pay the
proposed charge. Any such protests shall be delivered to the Clerk
of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at 651 Pine Street,
Room 106, Martinez, CA 94553`. No other protests or objections
shall be considered. A majority protest would cause the assessment
to be abandoned.
The Fire Chief ' s report, briefly summarized on the reverse side of
this notice, containing data indicating the need for the proposed
assessments, the amount.of the assessments proposed for Fiscal Year
1993-94, the types of property to be assessed, and other related
information, is on file in the District' s office located at
, and is available there for public inspection prior
to the meeting. Any questions concerning this notice, the report
on the proposed assessments, and protest procedure should be
directed to at telephone number ( 510)
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County
Administrator.
by: s/s
Deputy
NOTE: PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS NOTICE
BRIEF SUMMARY OF REPORT ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS `, {
The State of California is threatening to cut your fire protection.
The Governor ' s proposed budget would shift over $2 billion from
cities and counties and eliminate funding for more than half of the
fire service in this County effective July 1, 1993 . This is
property tax money you pay to protect your home. This money
belongs here for local services in the County. Now it may be taken
by the State and used for other purposes.
If the State takes your property tax, this will force severe
reduction of your fire protection which would include laying off
firefighters and closing fire stations unless - local replacement
revenue is provided by the benefit assessment procedure. This
proposed State action not only undermines the local efficiency
measures taken by the Board of Supervisors to merge districts,
reduce administrative positions and combine management to reduce
costs, but threatens the very existence of local fire service as we
know it today.
Contra Costa County taxpayers can be assured that the Board of
Supervisors will fiercely fight the proposed action by the Governor
or State Legislature to shift your local property tax for other
purposes. In the meantime, the only reasonable alternative to this
irresponsible State proposal is to notify you about this potential
financial disaster and ask you to support a benefit assessment to
maintain your fire service.
State law permits the levying of an annual benefit assessment to
continue providing fire suppression services, including personnel,
equipment and facilities. This assessment can only be levied after
certain procedures are followed, including the holding of a public
hearing on the subject.
Under State law, the amount of the assessment must be related to
the relative fire risk represented by each type of property. For
example, the maximum amount for heavy industry would be ten ( 10)
times as much as the maximum amount for a single family home.
The initial proposed assessment is for Fiscal Year 1993-94. In
subsequent fiscal years, the maximum base year ( 1993-94) assessment
may be increased annually to reflect the change in population and
the change in the U. S. Consumer Price Index. Unless renewed, this
assessment will terminate June 30, 1998. An appeal process will be
provided through your fire district for taxpayers to question their
assigned fire risk category used for assessment. Certain low
income property owners may qualify for an exemption. Some senior
and/or disabled property owners may defer assessments until they
sell their property. Such individuals may contact the California
State Controller' s Office at 1-800-952-5661 for further information
on the deferral procedure.
Tom Torlakson
300 East Leland Road
Supervisor, District Five '.�r ,i' _
p �• Suite 100
Contra Costa County �i Pittsbur California 94565- 61
;s 9.
Board of Supervisors v� (510)427-8138
• �S�a.COUZi�
Pt�_ C6
January 17 , 1993
Mayor Joel Keller, City of Antioch
Councilman Joseph L. Canciamilla, City of Pittsburg
Delta Diablo Sanitation District
Board of Directors
2500 Pittsburg/Antioch Highway
Antioch, CA 94509
Dear Mayor Keller and Councilman Canciamilla:
As a follow-up to the Board's discussion and direction
Wednesday, January 13, 1993, regarding the real possibility
of losing our AB 8 property, tax •($1 million) and the
recommendation I made regarding a freeze, our acting General
Manager will report back next month on a couple of areas
where we can address this fiscal crisis situation.
In my own preliminary view, I believe we should
implement a freeze and direct staff to reduce operations by
the full amount of AB 8 loss . This should include
consideration of-the timing of the plant expansion and an
analysis on what additional operating cost the expansion
would add to our operating budget. What funds, if any,
could be used to offset rate increases that are now being
utilized .in the plant expansion fund or capital program?
Also, if there are significant operational costs, we should
consider delaying the plant expansion--or consider building
it at low construction prices available now but not fully
occupying it.
While the expansion is almost entirely funded out of
connection and annexation fees, there is an issue regarding
the capital reserves budget. This bears further
examination. Some of those funds could be used to offset =
revenue loss and reduce the need for rate increases and,
therefore, should not be used in the plant expansion.
A y.�
Mayor Joel Keller
Councilman Joe Canciamilla
January 17 , 1993
Page TWO
We have had an excellent record of keeping rate:
figures down. We should continue to strive to do that in
these. particularly hard times when many other government
agencies will be going to the public for new fees, rate
increases, or taxes . I urge that we strive for a "no rate
increase" budget. This should be our target and we should
direct staff to do everything possible to achieve it.
Sincerely,
„�tY►,�
Tom Torlakson
TT:gro
cc: Mike Alexander, Acting General Manager