ALPINE FIRE BOARD MEMBER STEPS DOWN; DISTRICT SEEKS REPLACEMENT

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March 3, 2012 (Alpine) – On February 21 at the Alpine Fire District Board meeting, long-time Alpine Fire Protection District Board member Ron Fuller resigned his position due to health issues. The District is currently seeking interested individuals to fill out Mr. Fuller's term which runs through November of this year. Interested individuals must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the District and a registered voter. Applications can be picked up at the Fire Station at 1364 Tavern Road or down loaded from the Districts website at: http://www.alpinefire.org. The AFPD Board will review all applications at its March 20 Board meeting.
 
Fuller was first elected to the AFPD Board in November of 1996. During his tenure, he led the charge for many important changes for the District including: building the new fire station on Tavern, starting a paramedic program, requiring four person staffing on the engine and ensuring the District managed its finances in a fiscally conservative manner. He also served as the Districts’ representative to the Heartland Communications Facility and as a representative on the Tribal Fire Relations committee that help build a strong relationship with the Viejas Fire Department. At the meeting, Mr. Fuller was recognized for his accomplishments and presentenced with a plaque from Supervisor Dianne Jacobs’ office declaring the day, “Ron Fuller Day” in San Diego County.
 
In other action at the February Board meeting, the AFPD Board took a look at the benefit fee approved by voters in November of 2001. Every year the Board can review the fee based on the previous year’s CPI decide if an increase is needed. Since 2001, the Board has chosen to raise the fee just once. In 2008, the fee was increased by 3.19%. That amounted to a yearly increase of $1.92 for a typical single family dwelling. This year after some discussion, the board decided to raise the fee again. The vote was 3-1 to raise the fee with Director Pat Price casting the “no” vote.
 
President of the Board Steve Kramer stated, “Although we don’t like to increase fees charged to residents, due to the District declaring a fiscal emergency earlier this year we feel we must now.” He went on to say, “We have resisted raising the fee for the last four years out of concern for our citizens.” The current yearly fee charged residents of the District $61.92. The newly approved CPI increase is 2.7% and amounts to a yearly increase of $1.67 for a typical house in Alpine. The total yearly benefit fee for the 2012/13 year will now be $63.59.

  


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