Fire Reorganization:
Sebastopol and Gold Ridge
- updated -
February 4, 2025
Bottom Line Up Front
Substantially better services for $1 million/year less in General Fund than remaining independent.
Requires a parcel tax – whether combined or independent – for high-quality service Gold Ridge requires parcel tax to be uniform across District Typical: $265/year for single family home
BACKGROUND
8 years of discussion and analysis
April, 2024: Decision to proceed w/Gold Ridge
July, 2024: Initiated Negotiations
October, 2024: Adopted resolution affirming
decision
Tonight: Approve application to Local Agency
Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Other Developments Since April
Combined Gold Ridge and Sebastopol Ad Hoc
Committees conducted extensive negotiations
Citygate compared reorganization and stand-alone
options in depth
COAR Design assessed fire station
City expanding staffing
Staffing Comparison: Future Recommended
Reorg & Future Stand-alone
Future Reorganized
Fire Chief
2 Battalion Chiefs (40 hours)
Fire Marshall
Training, Fleet, Logistics
1 Admin (in Fire)
0.5-1Admin (in City Hall)
3 Fire Captains
3 Fire Engineers
3 Firefighters
Pool of 30 Volunteers
Future Stand Alone
Shared Fire Chief
3 Shared Battalion Chiefs
1 Fire Prevention Captain
0.25 Admin
3 Fire Captains
3 Fire Engineers
3 Firefighters
Pool of 178 volunteers
Better Response Times at Lower Cost
through Economies of Scale
Shared Fire Chief
3 Shared Battalion Chiefs – Provide 24/7/365
Coverage
Lower admin staff costs
Greater depth in Captains, Engineers, and
Firefighters improves coverage and reduces
overtime
Apparatus (engines and trucks)
All Sebastopol Fire Trucks/Engines will transfer as-is to Gold Ridge
Gold Ridge and Sebastopol to split remaining payments
on new Fire Engine
$240,000 each
In long run, will likely need to purchase fewer engines and trucks because of economies of scale
Fire Station: Assessed by COAR
Need additional space
50 years
Needs substantial investment
Fire Station Ownership
Gold Ridge to assume ownership and full
responsibility
Can sell station and property if used for a
replacement station in Sebastopol City
Limits
Ownership reverts to City if not used as Fire
Station
No plans to sell the property
Current Fire Finances: Two Major
Revenue Sources
City General Fund: $1.55M
Meets Measure H Maintenance of Effort
Requirement of 10-11% of GF
Measure H: $1.1M annually
No Parcel Tax for Fire
With Reorganization:
Three Major Revenue Sources
City General Fund: $1.1 M (instead of $1.5M)
No Maintenance of Effort Requirement
Annual escalator tied to CPI
Minimum: 2%
Maximum: 5%
Measure H: $1.1M annually to Gold Ridge
Fire Parcel Tax: $1.1M annually to Gold Ridge
$265 for typical single family home
Cost and Revenue Comparison
Fiscal Element Gold Ridge Budget for Sebastopol Fire
Service Post Annexation
Sebastopol Standalone Fire Services Cost FY
25/26
Revenues
Fire Direct Fees/Charges for Services $40,000 $40,000
Measure H $1,080,000 $1,080,000
City Parcel Tax $1,111,058 $1,111,058
City Net General Fund Contribution $1,205,191 $2,188,267 Total Revenues $3,436,249 $4,419,325
Expenditures
Total Salaries/Benefits $2,435,989 $3,047,422
Total Other Operating Costs $450,260 $476,050
Total Capital Outlay - $59,210
Total Debt Service $550,000 $686,643
Total Contribution to Reserves - $150,000
Total Expenditures $3,436,249 $4,419,325
Net Operating Surplus/(Deficit) $0 $0
Local Identity: Stations, Engines, Pins
NEXT STEPS
Submit application to LAFCO
LAFCO Hearing: March 5
If approved: LAFCO issues notice re: protest period
City/Gold Ridge to conduct public education
LAFCO protest hearing: May 7
If < 25% of voters or property owners file protest,
reorganization is approved
If > 25% file protest, special election occurs in
November
No later than July 1: Reorganization takes effect (if no protest election)
Gold Ridge Parcel Tax
Discussed in Application (p. 40 of packet)
1997 Tax: $20 per single family dwelling
2008 Measure O: $45 per improved parcel
2018 Measure E: $200 per residential parcel
TOTAL: $265
July: Board receives report w/tax for each property
August: Public Hearing and opportunity for corrections Proposed Change: Payment Schedule
From end of September to end of
December (p. 23 & 47 of packet)
Proposed Change: Water Use
(to be added to p. 39 of packet)
GRFPD agrees to retain its historic practices for
replenishing water in its trucks and engines as they
effect City’s water supply. GRFPD will not use City
supplies as a regular, primary source of water for
trucks and engines that primarily serve other areas.
Comments from Ad Hoc Committee
Similar to County – Gold Ridge Reorg
County
Regular Property Tax: $537K
County General Fund:
$4.3M
Measure H: $4.1M
Supplemental Parcel Tax:
$600K
City
Regular Property Tax: $0
General Fund: $1.1M
Measure H: $1.1M
Supplemental Parcel Tax:
$1.1M