Supervisors approve Foresthill Fire Protection District special election for Sept. 18

Published on July 11, 2018

Foresthill voters will decide their level of fire and emergency medical service in a special mail ballot election Sept. 18. The Placer County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a resolution that will put a measure on a special election ballot for an increase in parcel tax rates for the area.

Should voters approve the increase to the special assessment, fire district officials report that they would be able to maintain current staffing levels, prevent significant cutbacks and provide the appropriate level of fire protection and emergency medical response services for the Foresthill community.

The assessment increase would be $240.37 per year per parcel in the district. 

The measure will require a two-thirds majority vote for approval.

The Placer County Elections Office will distribute ballots to voters within the district starting Aug. 20.

The Foresthill Fire Protection District board of directors has determined that the cost to maintain adequate levels of service is beyond the reach of the district, and requested the assessment increase to better serve their residents.

“This special election continues our commitment to empower local communities to better serve their residents,” said District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery.

In May, the board unanimously approved the Placer County Elections Office to waive fees for a ballot measure in the independent Foresthill Fire Protection District to increase parcel tax rates, after a previous measure failed to secure a needed supermajority for approval. 

The board’s decision was part of series of actions that calls for an evaluation of the system of fire service throughout the county, with the aim to develop sustainable service in the future.

Fire service in Placer County is provided by many different agencies. State law does not require counties to provide fire service, and communities have historically organized and funded their own local fire districts, largely through parcel taxes.