Last week, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with a funding plan to provide $1.5 million to provide ongoing support toward rural fire sustainability.

The board has held several previous discussions surrounding fire sustainability. Back in 2018, staff prepared a report regarding the challenges facing the Yolo County Fire Protection Districts, which eventually led to the formation of a Yolo County Fire Protection Sustainability Board Ad Hoc Committee and the formation of a long-term sustainability plan.

In August of 2021, the board authorized an expenditure of $300,000 for the county to hire consultants to perform Proposition 218 engineer reports for all rural fire protection districts. Proposition 218, which was passed by California voters in 1996, ensures that all taxes and most charges on property owners are subject to voter approval.

“The current state of rural fire is just untenable looking into the future as all the experts have noted we have a decreasing number of volunteers, increasing costs for equipment, so there must be some action taken,” said Yolo County Chief County Administrator Gerardo Pinedo during the April 18 board meeting.

While not overwhelmingly strong or optimistic, survey results released by rural fire protection districts indicated that a funding commitment from the county would contribute to positive outcomes for Prop 218 elections and acquiring funds for fire districts through the tax measure.

“We have very desperate needs across the county,” emphasized Elisa Sabatini, manager of natural resources for the county. “We have some districts that are very interested in hiring career staff and would use the money for salaries and benefits and we have other districts that have deferred maintenance and some pretty critical capital improvement needs to be able to provide housing for their volunteer staff so they can have 24-hour operations.”

According to Sabbatini, funding from the county would, in theory reduce rates for voters, thus making a “yes” vote more likely. Based on polled districts, affordability was a significant factor in supporting the proposition initiative. For the West Plainfield Fire Protection District, it could equate to as much as a one-third reduction in the ask to the citizens, according to David Stiles, assistant chief of the West Plainfield FPD.

County funds would only be eligible for districts in unincorporated areas. The fire district must also pass and levy a Prop 218 Benefit Assessment to access funds and Prop 218 revenues must be equal to or greater than county contribution.

“They will not receive more from the county than they raise through their own process,” Sabatini explained.

Eligible fire districts with a failed 218 election that was undertaken in good faith could apply for one-time funds, subject to board approval, that they could use towards community outreach and other methods in order to work towards a successful election.

Accountability measures have also been put in place, including that the money must “supplement rather than supplant current funding,” and periodic performance measures must be reported. Funds could be withheld if met with non-compliance.

Supervisor Angel Barajas, who serves on the Yolo County Fire Protection Committee along with Supervisor Gary Sandy, strongly supported the funding ask, citing the work done by staff to streamline their process and the time put into speaking with landowners and constituents about supporting Prop 218.

“They’re willing to work with the county to get that 218, now we are in the home stretch, we are in the fourth quarter,” Barajas said. “We knew that at one point or another they were going to ask for funding and they are here today. We, as a board, are looking at having ways to partner so their ask from the 218 can be reduced. They are willing to put skin in the game, so I think we should be willing to put skin into the game.”

Sandy, however, argued the funding ask was too high, citing the hostility of the fiscal environment that could lead to further negative impacts in the future.

“Fiscally, I’m very worried about the county absorbing a new service that will impact the budget annually from here on out,” Sandy explained.

Frerichs also voiced his support while still acknowledging the challenging budget season that may lie ahead.

“Public safety is one the primary reasons for our existence as local government,” Frerichs stressed. “I support the fire service and I think the support from the county is needed, that’s been evidenced. We don’t know if that’s going to result in positive 218 votes but I think it really shows a strong signal that the county is committed to the partnership between the fire districts.”

The motion ultimately passed in a 3-2 vote, with Sandy and Supervisor Oscar Villegas voting no. Staff is expected to return to the board at a future date with more updates and further recommendations on funding sources.