MVCSD approved a $209 cap on annual fire assessment fee for Morongo Valley residents, with good progress on interim fire chief and grant
If you’re a Morongo Valley resident curious about how much you pay annually for fire service, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors approved a limit at last night’s meeting not to exceed $209 per year, and the good news continued when they announced positive progress with the new fire chief and securing the Carl Moyer Grant.
The Board approved a resolution for annual fire assessment fees per residential property for fiscal year 2026-27, a charge levied at a rate not to exceed $209.49 per unit on each property.
General Manager Brittany Chavez reported “everything going well” the new interim Fire Chief Paul Lindley who replaced Chief Caltabiano last month, stating that “morale and other issues they were having prior are simmering down,” and that the department is now fully staffed.
Chavez also reported that the district was chosen for a grant from the Carl Moyer Program, which helps public agencies clean up or replace their heavy-duty engines with newer ones. Chavez said they’re starting with the district’s tractor and will potentially address the problematic Type 1 Fire Engine, and that funding from the grant will start in January.
The Board voted 4/1 to approve a $60 per player registration fee for the Morongo Valley Softball League. While the Board made the decision, Chavez assured the revenue would be collected into a restricted fund and would not overlap into the district’s accounting.
With the July 1st deadline looming to report the district’s budget to the state, the Board voted for a special meeting on June 3rd to hold their final budget workshop.
