Arroyo Grande -- The Five Cities Fire Authority is exploring the possibility of a property tax or assessment to create much needed revenue.
The Fire Authority was formed in 2010 when Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Services District joined forces. They pooled their resources and the 3-communities now foot the bill, each paying part of the fire agencies 3.6 million dollar budget.
Declining property and sales taxes means a smaller budget for fire services.
The Fire Authority covers 9.5 square miles and protects nearly 40-thousand residents, and with the Oceano Dunes in its response area that includes about a million visitors a year.
Interim Fire Chief Riki Heath says with current budget constraints and staffing levels his crews can't meet national and state safety standards.
The Interim Chief says, "To meet the national standards we need to have 15 fire suppression personnel at the scene of a single family residential structure fire with the first 8 minutes of response."
The Fire Authority is talking with community leaders and exploring the idea of raising money through a property tax or assessment.
A study still needs to be done before the Fire Authority decides how to proceed. It's likely voters would have to approve what ever plan they come up with.
