COMMENT 338977
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2012-11-04 08:12 AM |
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Problem, reaction, solution.
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COMMENT 338625
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2012-11-02 08:32 PM |
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Since State law now requires a supermajority vote to raise taxes, the pols are constantly devising new fees (or whatever they want to call them) to pull more money from us. That's all it is, pulling more money. It's an industry. They actually travel on our money to go to conferences where they confer with their peers from around the country to share successful tactics (and, of course, enjoy themselves immensely). Outrageous. Resist at the ballot box. Vote down bond measures (high speed rail - really?), no matter how "well intentioned" they feel. THey're just tugging on heartstrings to get into your bank account. Government has more money than they know what to do with. Sorry, they know exactly what to do with it - fraud, waste, corruption.
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COMMENT 338573
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2012-11-02 05:10 PM |
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Not sure - but SB County Fire may actually receive some of the funds collected by this fee, as they are a "contract county" with CalFIRE. Haven't been able to confirm whether they will benefit or not - but I would hope they do! 363P - Montecito Fire, and Montecito residents do not benefit from the fee in any way - even if there is a fire - which appears to have been the point of the press release to begin with. All properties within SRA lands do benefit from CalFIRE resources, but the fee does NOT go to fire protection or the resources used to fight fires.
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COMMENT 338399
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2012-11-02 10:58 AM |
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@363: the discount goes to anyone in an area served by a non CalFire fire protection service. Everyone in areas served by Special Districts should get it. I think Santa Barbara County Fire is considered a Fire Protection District as well.
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COMMENT 338372P
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2012-11-02 10:11 AM |
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I just inherited a rural property in the fog belt on the north coast of California. I got the bill, $110 annually. On top of property taxes, of course.
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COMMENT 338363P
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2012-11-02 10:03 AM |
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Sounds reasonable to me that those in higher fire areas pay extra. (Doesn't sound reasonable that those in Mont$$$Cito should get a rebate/break.) They'll only "benefit" if there's a fire!
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COMMENT 338359P
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2012-11-02 09:56 AM |
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I live in a developed area of contiguous 1 acre lots, next to a large open parcel with grassy weeds and light oak canopy. It is grazed all year so no long grasses. I was assessed the fee, while neighbors 50 yards away were not. All of my unincorporated town is covered by Cal Fire services, but only those homes directly adjacent to open space were assessed. I'll pay, then protest. The irony is I have a fire hydrant in front of my house.
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COMMENT 338339
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2012-11-02 09:19 AM |
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I got it and it went straight into the trash.
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COMMENT 338337P
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2012-11-02 09:17 AM |
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All the unincorporated areas around Lompoc got bills. Lots of complaints are being filed. I thought this was going to be only for people who live in and near forestland. There's a website you can go to that shows the areas affected. It's most of California except cities.
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RDH
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2012-11-02 09:00 AM |
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Thank you very much for this informative article. Just 2 days ago I received an announcement of this fee (I live in the Goleta area) and was tempted to toss it, it did not appear legitimate.
While I fully agree that we need to pay for necessary services, I don't particularly like the notion that the state can willy-nilly make demands for fees when I had no notice nor voice in the decision.
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ZENYATTA19
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2012-11-02 08:37 AM |
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@253 and 295 thank you for the clarification. People seem to be very confused. Everyone north of Cathedral Oaks/ Foothill rds from Winchester Canyon to Montecito will be charged this new yearly fee.
I would be happy to pay it if in fact it were going to our county firefighters. The money doesn't even stay local... Time to stand up for our community and our firefighters!
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COMMENT 338573
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2012-11-02 08:06 AM |
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According to the CalFIRE FAQ's and their website "The fee provides a stable source of funding for a portion of CAL FIRE’s budget spent on fire prevention activities." Fire Prevention activites may include "brush clearance around communities on public lands, along roadways and evacuation routes; and activities to improve forest health so the forest can better withstand wildfire." But this activity will NOT occur in areas that already have fire service protection like the local special districts. AND according to the bill itself, the State BOE "would be required to retain and expend, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the funds necessary to pay refunds and for its expenses INCURRED IN COLLECTION." so the fee will also be used to pay for the administration of collecting the $$ as well. Bureaucracy at its finest.
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COMMENT 338262P
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2012-11-02 06:49 AM |
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What exactly does CALFire do? What will these funds be used for?
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COMMENT 338573
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2012-11-02 06:01 AM |
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#244 P - This fee is not for fire PROTECTION. None if these monies go toward firefighting expenses (such as the CalFIRE tankers, or crews that come in and assist during wildland fires.) Additionally, NONE of the monies collected by the state benefits ANYONE who already receives fire services from another (non-CalFIRE) agency, like Carpinteria, Summerland or Montecito. These agencies are already providing protection and prevention programs and do not receive any of the "fees" being collected to augment their existing programs and services. Those who will recieve CalFIRE services SHOULD pay, but why should those of us who won't benefit from it have to pay? Like #244, I wouldn't mind paying if I actually benefitted from this. This is a DOUBLE tax - and should be repealed.
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COMMENT 338244P
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2012-11-02 01:23 AM |
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I live in the unincorporated area west of Goleta. We got the notice too. I will gladly pay it! Get real people. The state has financial problems. This is a small price to pay for fire protection.
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COMMENT 338179
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2012-11-01 07:39 PM |
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We live off of highway 154 and received a notice yesterday we would be getting a bill.
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COMMENT 338174
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2012-11-01 07:33 PM |
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The fee should be eliminated, and all fire agencies in the state should be ordered to allow homes in SRA areas to burn to the ground.
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COMMENT 338168
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2012-11-01 07:17 PM |
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I'm going to institute a "politician fee" at my business. Every time one walks throught the door, it will be $100. And like one local politician told me when I griped about a tax disguised as a fee, if they don't like it, they can leave.
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