FIRE PARCEL FEE POSTPONED

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By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2011 (Sacramento)—The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has withdrawn its proposed fire parcel fee for further revisions and will reexamine the fee level in January.

The fee was approved by the Legislature and Governor Brown in June to help close the state’s budget gap and fund fire services in rural areas. The measure sparked controversy among rural residents, many of whom are already assessed in rural fire protection districts.

The planned fee has gone through two prior revisions (three proposals thus far), with the latest assessing a $150 fee per year on rural property owners for each inhabitable dwelling unit in Cal-Fire’s jurisdiction, however $35 credits were approved for those already paying fees in local districts. Bills to property owners were slated to be sent by June.

The Board has not stated why it plans to revise the fee yet again, however the Bee suggests that the panel may opt to exempt county jails and hospitals.
 


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