Felton Fire considers parcel tax to save department in Thursday night’s meeting
Ata Shaheen
FELTON, Calif. (KION) — Dozens of Felton residents packed into the Felton Fire station Thursday night to hear talk about solutions. The big one is a potential tax to fund the department and have full time staff.
“We need to have a sustainable source of income coming into this fire department. Taxes, unsustainable…not good,” said one public commenter.
The Dire Department hasn’t called for a parcel tax in decades, and now it’s asking for people to pay $700 for each parcel of land they own.
“That number is driven by the chief’s estimate of what we need to make this a healthy district again, to bring us where we need to be. Certainly 400 or 500 is more palatable and has a better chance of passing. But if it doesn’t solve the problem, we’re back in the same boat,” said Craig Winter, Board Director for the Felton Fire Protection District
Many of the people who came out Thursday said they would feel better about paying the tax if they had some reassurance that past issues in the district will be resolved long term.
“I don’t want to ever hear somebody say were gonna be transparent again, because that means they were lying to us in the first place.”
The district was supposed to vote Thursday night on whether to put the tax on the ballot, but opted instead for further discussion and deliberation.
If they don’t find funding soon, or if voters turn down the potential measure, Felton Fire could have no choice but to merge with another department in the San Lorenzo Valley.
“The new district would have their own, they’d have their way in whatever way they want to do. I might not have a job,” said Volunteer Firefighter Owen De Cossy, who gets paid stipends for shifts with the station.
Some people are okay paying up in order to maintain fire services in Felton… but wonder if keeping the district independent is even the right thing to do.
“I am willing to pay the tax. However, I am also in favor of looking closer at the idea of uniting the fire departments across San Lorenzo Valley,” said Bill Fitler, a local emergency professional
With no vote Thursday, there’s still time for all options to be considered.
“I understand it’s a process. And you’re not going to come to one meeting, get all your questions answered and have everything zipped up like a john wayne movie,” said Liz Taylor-Selling of Felton.
The fire district is holding another meeting this Monday with a representative from the county agency that oversees the district.
The Interim Chief of Felton Fire should also be there after missing tonight’s meeting for personal reasons.