Home Brentwood Brentwood City Council Votes to Support ECCFPD Benefit Assessment Tax

Brentwood City Council Votes to Support ECCFPD Benefit Assessment Tax

by ECT

Tuesday night, the Brentwood City Council voted 4-0 to support the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s Benefit Assessment in an effort to keep fire stations open and stabilize service levels.

With Tuesday’s action, the Council directed staff to cast “yes” votes on 4 consolidated ballots for 412 city owned properties. The financial impact is $36,975.

The ECCFPD is seeking new revenue to ensure the District can operate a five station model with 48 operational personnel. Without public support, the District will be reduced to three stations and firefighter layoffs.

The District says that if the Benefit Assessment is approved by the public, the District will raise $4.27 million in added revenue to ensure the downtown Brentwood Station re-opens and the Knightsen Station stays open for a 5-station service model. If it fails, the District will be reduced to just 3-stations.

The ballots were mailed March 13 to all parcel owners and are due by April 27 when a public hearing will be held.

During Tuesday’s meeting, ECCFPD Chief Hugh Henderson stated that if the tax fails, the District would operate three stations which would include: Station 52 (Balfour in Brentwood), Station 59 (Discovery Bay) and Station 93 (Oakley).

Henderson also highlighted that prior to the SAFER Grant, the District saw an increase by about 2-minutes in response times when they had 3-stations servicing the District.

Vince Wells, president of Local 1230, asked for the Councils support of the Benefit Assessment. He noted the impact on the firefighters since 2002.

“One of the impacts we are seeing now because of the process is we have had a grant and during the grant we hired 12 firefighters. All 12 have since left the district. The guys who have been here since 2002, they are getting hurt and right now we have 4-5 firefighters off on workers compensation,” explained Wells. “If we do not find a way to sustain the fire district, improve staffing, address staffing issues, we are going to have to close stations regardless if we have the funding or not. We are operating 4 stations, but drop to 3 if guys are not available for overtime. “

ECCFPD Directors Joe Young and Steve Smith were on hand to encourage the Council to support the District.

Councilmember Gene Clare highlighted his support for the District saying as an elected official their number one priority is public safety.

Councilman Erick Stonebarger said the District is “screwed” regardless if this is going to pass or fail because of Proposition 13.

“The District is going to fail, it’s just a matter of when it’s going to fail and the firefighters have been put in a terrible position,” said Stonebarger. “Do I agree with all the decisions that have been made? No, we could have done different and done a little bit better on some adjustments because this Benefit Assessment will get attacked on pensions and retirements. However our firefighters have been underpaid since the creation of this district and the district is structurally unsound. It is not an expense problem it’s a revenue problem and it’s been like that since day 1. I don’t think we have a choice but to try and promote it and get on some type of stable ground.”

Mayor Bob Taylor highlighted the importance of keeping stations open and bringing back Station 54 in downtown Brentwood.

“My gosh I hope this passes because this would jeopardize human life if this assessment does not pass. Those extra minutes really could create a life change,” said Taylor.

ECCFPD-AD

You may also like

3 comments

RealityCheck Apr 15, 2015 - 6:46 am

And that Ironhouse, is how you are supposed to vote!

Anonymous Apr 15, 2015 - 9:54 am

Now that’s a funny comment (above): “That’s how you are supposed to Vote”.

Ok Saddam Hussein, but the rest of us are exercising our democratic rights. It comes as no surprise the the Brentwood City council voted yes.

1. It’s not their money.
2. Many of them have been on the fire board and failed miserably.
3. All of them are inept.
4. Passage of this tax directly benefits Brentwood.

“Councilman Eric Stonbarger said the District is screwed regardless if this is going to pass or fail because of proposition 13”

No Mr. Stonbarger, we are “screwed” because of poor leadership demonstrated by this city council, the Mayor and the fire board.

Julio Apr 15, 2015 - 5:48 pm

Everyone’s excuse for everything is Prop 13. There are more properties NOT under 13 than there those under 13. And very highly taxed compared to 13. Face the truth instead of blaming prop 13 all you elected officials.

Comments are closed.