The San Bernardino County Fire Department held another community meeting last night to discuss the what, why and how of expanding Service Zone FP-5. Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
In last night’s well-attended meeting at the Joshua Tree Community Center, all eyes and ears were on County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig. As he’d done in 13 other public meetings, Hartwig laid out the scenario:
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, which provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 60 communities in 10 service zones covering over 19,000 square miles, is currently operating with a $29 million dollar budget shortfall. Both Hartwig and the Board of Supervisors believe that expanding the boundaries of Service Zone FP-5 will bridge that funding gap.
In June of this year, a resolution was passed and Hartwig is now on a road show to let residents know what is coming, namely, an increase in property taxes, specifically $157.26 per parcel with a possible annual increase of 3 percent with no cap.
As it stands now, Hartwig explained, more populated communities are subsidizing remote areas for services and they see this proposed expansion as a balancing solution.
Giving the community a plaintive head’s up, Hartwig said, “I don’t need to make a budget presentation to the board until next June but I don’t need to wait until then to let you know I’m in trouble.”
Service Zone FP-5 currently includes Helendale, San Bernardino, Needles, Twentynine Palms, Upland, and San Antonio Heights. New boundaries would include Grand Terrace, Yucca Valley and unincorporated areas such as Joshua Tree, Pioneertown, Landers and Wonder Valley, among others.
Questions were raised around staffing costs, the status of certain stations and how this might affect those on a low or fixed income. While one attendee suggested a sales tax, another proposed a GoFundMe page.
On September 14, public notices will be mailed to all property owners and there will be a 30-day protest period concluding with a public hearing on October 16.
For more information on this issue, visit sbcfire.org.
Chief Hartwig and Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle will be the guests on the Z107.7 Up Close Show this Friday morning at 10 a.m.
