CoCoTax has worked for several years in partnership with East County Voters (ECV) to highlight the serious lack of adequate emergency and fire response resources in the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). Due to systemic misallocation of county property tax revenues, the district is currently understaffed and unable to respond promptly to 911 calls, a serious public safety issue.
The district has a history of fiscal mismanagement and has refused to support a sensible reallocation plan drafted by ECV, which would require only minor contributions by other agencies in the district from anticipated increased property tax revenues to more fully fund fire prevention and response. The district seems bent on once again asking district residents for a tax increase, which CoCoTax has in the past and will oppose again in the future. District property owners pay the same 1% county tax as all others in the county, and it is patently unfair to ask them to pay more.
Fire District sends $1.9 million of Operating Funds to Oakley
By Bryan Scott
