2024 218 Benefit Assessment

Fire Protection & Emergency Response Services Assessment 

Ballot Tabulation Results

March 19, 2024

On behalf of Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors, I would like to thank our Staff and firefighters, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and residents that helped in the 218 Benefit Assessment process.

Unfortunately, we did not receive the needed votes for this assessment to pass. As a result, your local fire engine at the Pajaro Valley Fire Station will drop to two-person daily staffing starting July 1, 2024. 

This will result in delayed action at fire incidents due to industry safety standards as well as decreased efficiency at the scene of medical or rescue type incident due to the complexity of those calls and the tasks that must be completed in a safe manner. Despite this decreased staffing, we assure you that our Pajaro Valley Firefighters have always, and will always, continue to do the best that they can with the staffing that is available to successfully mitigate emergency calls for service within the district.

While we, as a Board, feel that the 218 Benefit Assessment is a fair and objective means of asking residents to pay their fair share, the majority of property owners felt otherwise.  In my view, a small home on a modest lot should pay less than a large commercial structure on acreage. We tried to get the word out regarding Prop 218 Benefit Assessment with press releases, zoom meetings and in person public meetings, unfortunately it failed. 

The Pajaro Valley Fire District Board will continue to explore all possible funding avenues to ensure an adequate emergency response to calls for service within the district.

Dave Martone, Board Chair

• Pajaro Valley FPD Certification of Election Results
• Pajaro Valley FPD Engineers Report
• Pajaro Valley FPD Proposed Assessment by APN #
• Community Meeting Presentation 2-3-24
• Pajaro Valley FPD Resolution 2024-01
• Pajaro Valley FPD Resolution 2024-02