Thank you for taking an interest in the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).
As you may have heard, on February 27, ECCFPD Board Members unanimously voted to place a $197 parcel tax on the June 5th ballot. This decision was made after spending two years exploring how to solve a structural deficit, which worsened during the latest recession, with the significant drop in the assessed values of homes and properties in East County. Property tax revenue is by far the largest source of revenue for the District. At our current rate, all of the District’s reserves will be exhausted by July resulting in multiple station closures and the loss of 50% of our firefighters.
After many months of community outreach, where we solicited public input as to what should, and shouldn’t be included in any revenue generating measure, the current version of the parcel tax (Measure S) was approved by the Board. Measure S includes specific suggestions provided by the public during a series of open meetings held throughout the District, like making sure the tax ends within 10 years.
To date, we have conducted 29 state of the District presentations to community groups, service clubs, Town Halls, local municipalities etc. If you know of any group or organization that you think would be interested in getting a first-hand update on the current state of the District, feel free to contact me directly at: (925) 240-2131 or HHenderson@eccfpd.org
Hugh Henderson, Fire Chief
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District |
