History
The County of Yuba does not provide fire service to its residents. All fire departments within the county are independent entities and, except for those agencies in existence prior to the passage of Proposition 13 in the late 1970's, must be funded by a direct assessment imposed on the residents residing within each independent district.
CDF has maintained a seasonal fire station in Loma Rica for many years. Into the 1980's, this station was only open during the state's wild land fire season, typically running from late May or early June to late September or early October. Within the community, a small group of volunteers, using antiquated equipment (which they parked at their homes), were the sole providers of fire suppression and medical aid services for those months CDF was absent and for any incidents to which CDF was unable to respond or needed assistance. Funding was provided by charitable contributions, bake sales, etc.
Believing that the area needed a higher level of service, a group of local residents began the work of forming an independent fire district and in 1985 a ballot measure was placed before the voters of the Loma Rica and Browns Valley communities. The proposal was successful and resulted in the formation of the Loma Rica / Browns Valley Community Services District. The vote mandated that the District provide fire, rescue, and medical aid services, established a governing board of 5 members, each elected to 4 year terms, and created a funding assessment of 3 cents per square foot for all residential and commercial structures with a maximum annual assessment of $40 per assessed structure.
It became apparent that increasing population and emergency calls coupled with a declining volunteer force posed a formidable challenge to the District's ability to provide necessary services. After several months of public meetings, the District chose to pursue and enter into a contract (generally referred to as an Amador contract and limited in availability) with CDF to keep the Loma Rica station open and staffed for the entire year. The original contract cost was approximately $28,000. In order to fund the contract, the annual assessment maximum was increased to $80 per assessed structure.
Following passage of Proposition 218 (November 1996) which requires all property assessments to be approved by a 2/3 vote of the electorate, the District directors determined that the voters within the community should have the opportunity to confirm or reject the 1991 board action raising the maximum annual assessment from $40 to $80. The increase was confirmed.
The District enters into a bi-agency co-operative agreement with CDF to construct the current Loma Rica station and operate as a two-agency facility.
Faced with continually rising operating costs coupled with no change to the original 3-cent assessment for 15 years, the District places before the voters a proposal to include an annual cost of living adjustment. The cost of living adjustment is to be based on the lower of two indexes - Consumer Price Index or the Cost Index used by Social Security. It was estimated that the average residence would see an annual increase of $3.65 to $3.85. The proposal was overwhelmingly defeated.
Struggling with inadequate revenue to continue funding the Amador contract, the District holds several town hall meetings to discuss options and determine community wishes concerning revenue increases. Based on the input provided at these meetings as well as continuing revenue requirements, the District places before voters a proposal, Measure B, to raise the square foot assessment from 3 cents to 6 cents and raise the annual maximum structure assessment from $80 to $200. The proposal fails to garner the required 2/3 majority.