Fire district funding

A District 3 resident angrily defended fire districts against claims they have surplus money, citing 84 percent resident support for Ebbett's Pass and threatening a 'none of the above' campaign if cuts stand.

Fighting tears, she credited firefighters with saving her life and her home twice during recent fires and asked the Board to 'do the right thing' on funding.

A career firefighter asked why fire districts should bear the entire budget cut when the TOT could be spread evenly across all recipients, citing decades of major fires.

The West Point fire association president described $19-an-hour wages, shared sleeping quarters, and only recent medical coverage, asking the Board not to dismantle progress just begun.

A volunteer water tender driver who worked 30-plus hours on the GAN fire explained why staffed water tenders are critical in a district with few hydrants, and asked to keep his position funded.

The Calaveras Consolidated union president recalled the GAN fire response and criticized supervisors for not attending briefings or station visits, noting the TOT measure's press release featured a fire engine.

Shared his personal story of taking a pay cut to serve his community and argued most county firefighters lack benefits or retirement, urging the Board not to undo recent progress.

Speaking for the local fire districts, the Ebbett's Pass chief said they support shifting Prop 172 money to the DA but asked for the full 25 percent TOT restored and the dispatch contract paid from the general fund.

The firefighters union vice president described the wide range of calls firefighters handle beyond fires and asked the Board not to strip gains other districts just achieved.

Read a Calco Fire board letter disputing claims of a $9 million fire district surplus, noting Measure A funds are mostly committed to staffing and that losing $92,000 in TOT threatens the battalion chief position insurers require.

Urged full funding of the nine fire districts and opposed data centers, warning of water and power impacts.

The Ebbett's Pass fire chief praised the presentation but clarified the '85% cut' referred only to county funds, and noted most districts' firefighters have no retirement or health benefits.

The Copperopolis chief said the district faces over $105,000 in unreimbursed Gann Fire costs, firefighters earn minimum wage, and asked the board to make cuts with fire districts, not to them.

The San Andreas chief said this was the first year the district could offer benefits and urged the board to keep TOT with fire.

A Calaveras Consolidated Fire board member disputed the reserve figures, noting volatile state reimbursement revenue and conservative budgeting based on auditor estimates.

Arnold Firewise coordinator asked the Board to restore fire district funding and pursue grants, noting districts will lose about $90,000 each.

Railroad Flat resident detailed the 80% fire funding cut, alleged procedural silencing via the consent agenda, and raised conflict-of-interest and attendance allegations against supervisors.

Calaveras Watchdog publisher argued public safety is government's primary constitutional duty and criticized the Board's FPPC filings and fiscal record.

Ebbetts Pass Fire District chief announced the districts met with county leadership and delivered a counter-proposal, with a decision expected September 8.

Valley Springs resident noted 70-90% of fire calls are medical, and warned seniors will spread the word if response suffers.

Copperopolis resident noted fire-support tax measures drew far more votes than any supervisor, urging restoration of fire funding.

Calaveras Planning Coalition representative invoked the Butte Fire and warned supervisors they'll be voted out if they cut fire funding before a disaster.

Warned of a 'Super El Niño' and urged the Board to fully fund fire districts with TOT revenue and pursue Proposition 4 state funds.

Butte Fire survivor who lost her home asked the Board to ensure funds are available to fight the next fire.

Poker Flat general manager asked the Board to reconsider fire funding cuts and asked about speed reduction plans on O'Byrns Ferry Road.

Former hotshot described losing his home in the 2020 Mono County fire and the Butte Fire's toll, urging the Board to reconsider the cuts.

Copperopolis resident described how firefighters saved her property, animals and life during the Arroyo Fire and a cardiac arrest, opposing any funding cuts.