Proposed parcel tax for county residents to support Lake Valley Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On March 3, 2020, voters in the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) boundaries will decide if Measure B should pass, a measure that would give the fire department funds for much-needed equipment, apparatuses, and supplies.

The measure would put an additional $52 special tax on each parcel and won't be different amounts on residential, business or vacant land. This would be added to the current annual $20 per residential parcel tax which was added in 1986. The fire department said that $20 doesn't cover much in 2020 and the extra $52 will give them almost $433,000 a year to spend. Their current annual budget is $6.7M.

"This [money] will make a massive difference," said LVFPD Engineer Dusty LaChapelle. "This would be a game-changer."

At this time the district is leasing apparatuses, vehicles, and equipment and they are unable to use their current self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) due to disrepair. Measure B funds would be used for their replacement and to purchase and not lease the other items. To replace the 30 needed SCBA it would cost close to $300,000.

LaChapelle said when the first $20 tax was added to residential property taxes ($10 for vacant lots and $40 for businesses) in 1986 the cost of an engine was close to $100,000. Now it is closer to $800,000.

For a copy of the LVFPD 15-Year Equipment Replacement Program if Measure B passes, visit HERE.

This does not affect properties in the South Lake Tahoe city limits.

Since Measure B is a "special tax" it can only be used for the purposes outlined in the ballot. The funds cannot be used for salaries or staffing and may only be used for authorized purposes, which include fire engines, vehicles, equipment, and supplies. So the voters will know their money is being spent for the intended uses, a special oversite committee will be appointed to control all expenditures.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District was established in 1947 as an independent special district with the authority to provide fire protection services, rescue services, emergency medical services, hazardous material emergency response services, and other services related to the protection of lives and property. The District is currently staffed with 28 full-time firefighters and serves the population in the Lake Tahoe Basin area. The population served includes approximately 12,000 permanent residents and another 50,000 in population during tourist seasons.

The District’s jurisdiction covers approximately 85 square miles of land extending from the El Dorado/Placer County line on Highway 89 North, West to Twin Bridges on Highway 50, South to the El Dorado/Alpine County line on Highway 89 South, and east to the city limits of South Lake Tahoe.

In 2019, the El Dorado County Fire District asked their voters for a vote to levy a $96 a year parcel tax on property owners for their services. It was defeated with 62 percent of the voters saying "no." That district covers much of the western slope of the county.

LVFPD voters had a chance in 2014 to approve a new parcel tax for the costs of funding wildfire prevention and suppression programs, the Angora Peak Fire Crew, and facilities and equipment repair and replacement, within the Lake Valley Fire Protection District. It's $120/year price tag was perhaps too steep for voters and it was defeated 65.56 percent "no" votes to 34.44 percent "yes" votes.

To pass in March, two-thirds of the voters need to approve the tax which works out to be $4.33 per month per household. If it doesn't pass, LaChappelle said services will have to be cut. Currently, they increase staff on weekends to accommodate the higher needs at the ski resorts (winter) and in the backcountry (summer).

It isn't clear what reduced staff or equipment would do to the area's fire insurance ratings, something that concerns many residents who are seeing their fire insurance canceled.

LVFPD does try to recoup some expenses from visitors using their fire response services, but that isn't enough to make up the needed funds in the budget.

There are currently 5,877 registered voters in the LVFPD. LaChapelle said firefighters will be trying to visit with all of those voters on their days off by going door-to-door to explain the measure and their needs.

For more information on Measure B, attend any of the following meetings:

January 29 at Sierra House Elementary School at 5:30 p.m. - 1709 Remington Trail, South Lake Tahoe

February 9 at Magnet School at 9:00 p.m. - 1095 E San Bernardino Ave, Meyers

Coffee With a Firefighter to discuss Measure B at Freel Perk Coffee Shop, 3141 US-50, Meyers

All of the Saturday meetings start at 9:00 a.m.:
February 8
February 15
February 22
February 29

For more information, visit http://www.lakevalleyfire.org/measure-b or contact Dusty LaChapelle or Martin Goldberg at the District by calling (530) 577-3737.