Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived from supporting a regional shared services model on the Georgetown Divide;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Funding Agreement with Garden Valley Fire Protection District in the total amount of $400,000, for a term effective upon final execution for a two-year period, in support of a regional shared services model on the Georgetown Divide;
3) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute amendments relating to the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Disband the Jurisdictional Reorganization Ad Hoc Committee.
FUNDING: Mosquito Fire Settlement Funds. (General Fund)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Secure and stable funding for fire and emergency medical services is a challenge across the state. Due to the effects of Proposition 13, property tax revenues are not spread evenly among districts. For example, on the West Slope, two districts whose service areas comprise 46% of total fire district service area receive nearly 92% of the ad valorem property tax allocated to all West Slope Districts. This results in varying service levels throughout the County. The inequities are particularly apparent in rural areas, where the districts’ share of local property taxes is very low due to a combination of factors. Some rural agencies had very low tax rates prior to passage of Proposition 13 because they relied heavily on volunteers. The formula for allocating the local share of property taxes post-Proposition 13 memorialized those low tax rates. In addition, the more rural areas of the county typically have lower total assessed value because the housing is less dense and home prices are often lower as one travels farther from infrastructure and services. The result is a low tax increment on a small tax base. As population in the rural areas ha...
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