IFPD drops parcel tax idea

By J.P. Crumrine, Editor

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) commission officially withdrew its plan to seek a parcel tax increase this fall. In a special meeting Friday night, July 23, the commissioners agreed to rescind their June resolution to submit a ballot measure next month to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for the November election.

Adamant they need additional revenues, commissioners intend to reassess this idea in the future. This fall, they will likely increase ambulance fees as a means to augment their revenues.

“After talking with our attorney, Brad Neufeld [Gresham and Savage of Riverside], it’s not a good time to do this. The political climate is not there,” said vice chair Pete Capparelli. Then he described his conversation with a professional political consultant on how to approach a possible tax vote and the consultant’s fees that will range from $25,000 to $75,000.

Interim Fire Chief Norm Walker related his conversation with Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Medical Services Agency. Walker recommended that the commission consider inviting Barton to the next regular agency meeting to discuss his view of ambulance fees.

Walker also informed the commission that a formal partnership with the local Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council (FSC) would have to be deferred until Riverside County has a multi-jurisdiction local hazard mitigation plan. The county’s last plan, dated October 2004, has expired. The county is currently working to prepare and adopt a new plan.

Until then, IFPD will have work with, but cannot partner with, FSC on the pending grant request seeking funds to replace wood shingle roofs with fire safe shingles.

Walker indicated that he would be meeting Edwina Scott, the FSC executive director, about the possibility of partnerships on other grants requests.

J.P. Crumrine can be reached at jp@towncrier.com.