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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board approve a letter of support for Assembly Bill 301, which would allow the buyer and seller of a property with a habitable structure in the State Responsibility Area to negotiate the Fire Prevention Fee as one of the terms of the sale. It would also require CAL FIRE to notify fee payers that they are allowed to negotiate the fee if there is a transfer of ownership.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
AB 301 would allow the buyer and seller of a property with a habitable structure in the SRA to negotiate the Fire Prevention Fee as one of the terms of the sale. It would also require CAL FIRE to notify fee payers that they are allowed to negotiate the fee if there is a transfer of ownership.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Created by the Legislature and Governor as part of the 2011 Budget, the Fire Prevention Fee charges property owners $152.33 for each habitable structure located in the SRA. The owner of the habitable structure, which is determined by the owner on record as of July 1st, must pay the fee within 30 days for the entire year even if the property changes ownership.
AB 301 will remedy this problem by requiring the department to notify property owners in the SRA that they can negotiate the SRA fee as a term of the sale of their property. This bill would also clear up any confusion around the legality of negotiating the fee as a term of the sale.
ALTERNATIVES
Not supporting the bill.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this letter of support to give property owners the ability to negotiate the Fire Prevention Fee as one of the terms of the sale of property.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the County with this letter of support.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Creighton Avila