The Marinwood Fire Department as you know it may cease to exist: RECAP
Our first mailer described the current fiscal state of the Marinwood Community Services District (MCSD). In 2005-06, for the third consecutive year, the MCSD will spend more than it receives in taxes and fees while not reserving funds to replace our aging backup fire engine which needs replacement. San Rafael, which is also in a fiscal crisis, has cancelled the 1994 JPA which paid for a 3rd Marinwood Fire Department (MFD) firefighter each day. On July 1, 2006 if the current JPA is not extended, the MCSD stands to lose compensation, services and a guaranteed automatic response from San Rafael to major incidents which might occur in our community. San Rafael residents and businesses in our current coverage area stand to lose the service levels which a strong Marinwood Fire and EMS presence provides.
While talks with San Rafael continue targeting an agreement which will provide current fire service levels affordably, we are asking our entire community to evaluate the three possible options we have for fire service starting July 1, 2006:
a. Remain independent without a San Rafael JPA.(subject of the 1st mailer)
b. Consolidate with the San Rafael Fire Department. (this mailer)
c. Remain an independent Fire Department with a sustainable San Rafael JPA.
Option a., independent without a JPA, is likely to increase the MCSD budget deficit and leave the district with difficult choices. The district may be compelled to reduce some of its services, including staff reduction or to ask its citizens for another increase in the property tax surcharge which is already at its limit.
CONSOLIDATION: What will it mean to Marinwood and Upper Lucas Valley?
Consolidation with San Rafael is one of the options under serious consideration in the talks with San Rafael. As the outcome of these negotiations is unknown, some of the information below is based only on initial discussions between the two communities.
Here is what we know:
If we consolidate there will be no more Marinwood Fire Department. Instead, there will be a San Rafael Fire Department Marinwood Station at 777 Miller Creek Rd.
Marinwood will give up control of Fire and EMS service levels and costs to San Rafael.
Here is what we can expect:
We should receive the same or better levels of service which we currently depend upon in terms of firefighters per day, backup in a major emergency and response times.
Marinwood residents should not expect property tax or current tax surcharge reductions from consolidation with San Rafael.
Factoring the estimated $1.35 million fee to San Rafael into our budget indicates that our budgeted fire costs may decrease by $68,000 from current levels and provide $33,000 per year in capital equipment reserves.
MCSD would pay a negotiated fee for fire service. San Rafael would pay all firefighter salaries, operating expenses and for capital equipment such as the fire engines for its Marinwood station.
Marinwood would continue to own the fire station building and pay all costs for it.
What do we risk by Consolidating?
Contract fees could increase before Marinwood realizes increased property tax funding from proposed development in our community, increasing our budget deficit.
If at some point in the future Marinwood decides to revert to an independent Fire Service, it could be very costly.
Both MCSD and the City of San Rafael face difficult financial situations. Circumstances can and do change over time. The contract for providing fire service levels or the cost for it MAY NOT be guaranteed in the long run. Either party could cancel or request to renegotiate any contract agreed upon.
What can you do to help?
The MCSD needs your input. By now, you have received a mailer on option a. and this mailer, option b. Consolidation with San Rafael. Shortly, you will receive the final one covering option c. and a summary of all three options for our fire service as of July 1, 2006.
Clear your Calendars: Public Meeting
We have scheduled a public meeting at the Marinwood Community Center at 7:30PM, Wednesday, November 2nd to discuss these three options in more detail and field questions from the community. At this meeting, we may take a straw poll of the attendee?s preference for the three options. Please read each of the three mailers which will arrive at your house biweekly and come to this meeting prepared to learn and to voice your opinions and preferences about the direction of our community?s EMS and fire service. YOUR OPINIONS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
2005 JPA with San Rafael expires 6/30/2006
MFD Staff Level
1 Engine Company with 3 persons/day
Levels of Service
Standard of Cover = fire protection levels.
The MFD meets/exceeds this standard through cooperative agreements with SR.
The Marinwood and ULV Standard of Cover is:
Medical aid: a fire engine with 3 personnel to your location in 5 minutes
Fire: the first engine arriving with 3 personnel in 8 minutes and a total of 15 personnel to your location in 12 minutes.
2 of 15 personnel from the SRFD
Services available through San Rafael JPA
Dispatch: Provided by SR
Radio frequencies: MFD & SR share
Training: Available from San Rafael
Equipment: Compatible with San Rafael?s
Regulatory Reporting: Provided by SR
2005/06 Budget with 2005 JPA
45% of CSD property tax to FD$548,000
$0.18 a sq. foot fire tax $578,000
San Rafael JPA $150,000
ULV/Other Service Contracts $411,000
Total MFD Revenue 2005/06 $1,687,000
Total MFD Budget 2005/06 $1,687,000
2005/06 MFD Budget Deficit $0
Next Mailer: will be sent out in mid October and will provide details on a possible continuation of some form of Joint Powers Agreement between Marinwood and San Rafael for Fire and EMS.
Consolidate with the SRFD
SRFD/Marinwood Station Staff Level
1 Engine Company with 3 persons/day
Levels of Service
Standard of Cover = fire protection levels.
The SRFD Marinwood Station will meet/exceed current standards.
The Marinwood and ULV Standard of Cover is:
Medical aid: a fire engine with 3 personnel to your location in 5 minutes
Fire: the first engine arriving with 3 personnel in 8 minutes and a total of 15 personnel to your location in 12 minutes.
15 of 15 personnel from the SRFD.
As part of the SRFD we will have
Dispatch: Provided by SR
Radio frequencies: For all SRFD stations
Training: Available to all SRFD stations
Equipment: Same as all SRFD stations.
Regulatory Reporting: Provided by SFRD
2005/06 Budget paying SR for Fire Service
53% of CSD property tax to FD $645,000*
$0.18 a sq. foot fire tax $578,000
NO San Rafael JPA $0
ULV/Other Service Contracts $396,000
Total MFD Revenue 2005/06 $1,619,000
**Total MFD Budget 2005/06 $1,619,000
2005/06 MFD Budget Deficit $0
*8% ($97K) of property tax shift to Fire Dept from Park & Rec. **Includes est. $1.35M fire service fee to San Rafael, extraordinary expenses ($57K fire engine purchase rebate to ULV, and $37K for CSD Roof repair).
Our Fire & Emergency Medical Services Future is in your hands!
Find further details on our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet at www.marinwood.org or get a paper copy at the CSD Center counter. Still have questions? Contact our Fire Chief, Tom Roach or MCSD Manager Tom Horne.
Tom Roach 479-0122 troach@marinwood.org Tom Horne 479-0775 thorne@marinwood.org
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Saturday, February 4, 2012