Groveland fire tax on ballot

The district has also been using about $100,000 previously meant for parks maintenance to help fund the department in recent years.

 

Before voting, directors clarified two points that added a new wrinkle to the resolution that places the tax on the ballot. The board has the option every year to levy less than authorized or levy no tax at all, and the money will not go to fund anything outside of the department or at the state or county level as long as it’s in the district’s power to prevent it. Also, a five-person citizen oversight committee will regularly review the tax and department business and offer comments on how it’s spent.

 

Carole Wong, a district resident, offered all three suggestions during the public hearing, saying she believes those additions could make it easier for voters to approve.

 

“I think it would help people be assured we know where the money was going,” Wong said during the meeting.

 

The hearing swung back and forth as about a dozen residents spoke on the tax. Some, like Gus Allegri, called on the voters to approve the tax. Allegri said district residents would be “very impressed” to watch the department work, and he said they should go through with keeping crew levels as they are.

 

“It could be really scary” if the department pares back to a mostly volunteer force, which multiple directors and fire officials said could happen if the tax is not approved.

 

The Groveland Fire Department employs a chief, three captains, three engineers, a group of paid reserves, an administrative assistant and volunteers. Director Joe Riley said removing the funding currently provided by the assessment would require the department to scale back to three paid officials who would alternate shifts to keep one staff member on at all times to oversee volunteers in the event of a call.

 

Riley and Director John Armstrong both said property owners would have a harder time getting fire insurance without its current staffing. Armstrong also said the volunteer numbers are dwindling compared to previous decades.

 

“If we don’t pass this tax, we are seriously going to cripple this fire department,” he said.

 

However, Director Steve Perreira took exception with Riley and Armstrong, calling their assertions “scare tactics.” Perreira, who voted against the ballot measure and has called for the department to make cuts, said he believes it can be staffed with a combination of reserves, part-time employees and volunteers.

 

He also warned that approving the tax will make it tougher to cut personnel, benefit and legacy costs in the department the next time contract negotiations come around.

 

Perreira called on district voters to reject the tax and push for a smaller amount in November’s general election.

“There needs to be some give and take,” he said.

 

Perreira’s call for “give and take” were echoed by some at the meeting. Bruce Burman said he “appreciates” the quick response given by the department to emergency situations. But Burman also said this doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” scenario.

 

He suggested the district implement a tax that will have property owners pay what they currently do, which is about (price) for most. Let the department “go with what we had before,” and cut out budget items like new computers, furniture and exercise equipment.

 

“I certainly think there’s enough fat to make up the difference,” Burman said.