Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a distribution formula that will divvy up funds collected through Measure M, a ½ cent sales tax measure intended to support struggling fire districts in Amador County. The formula was approved last week by the Amador Fire Protection Authority (AFPA) and added to the Supervisors agenda for final authorization. The formula is based on figures from the California Department of Finance and divides money collected through Measure M between the Amador Fire Protection District, Jackson, Ione, Sutter Creek, Lockwood and Jackson Valley fire districts based on a 50/50 split between call volume and population. Some money will also come from Prop 172, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment approved in 1993 that created a ½ cent sales tax to help fund public safety agencies statewide. During the last AFPA meeting, board member Connie Gonsalves said there is currently around $1 million in Measure M and Prop 172 funding in an account through the auditor’s office. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly said the formula was approved only after much deliberation over its accuracy. Jackson City Manager Mike Daly said CAL FIRE assisted in determining accurate call volumes in certain districts and excluding certain types of calls like medical aid when the fire department was not dispatched and vegetation management calls. He said there was a meeting between representatives of the different fire districts in which they came to an agreement on the current formula. He said another issue was finding accurate census counts in unincorporated districts like Lockwood and Jackson Valley. Terri Daly said measures were taken to ensure that the money being spent was going towards personnel only, a Measure M stipulation. She said each fire department has “agreed to submit reports each year or…perhaps attach their financials.” Supervisor Richard Forster asked how often the formula will remain in affect. County Counsel Martha Shaver said it will be in affect until such time it is changed by the board and the “percentages can be updated any time you have new information.” Mike Daly said it would be good to base any updates around the beginning of the fiscal year. The board approved 5-0 to put the formula in effect immediately. The Measure M ½ cent sales tax increase was part of the November 4, 2008 ballot and was passed by voters with 69 percent approval. It is intended to support the first publicly funded fire program in Amador County. In related news, Supervisor Louis Boitano said he is stepping down as the board’s representative on the Amador Fire Protection District because he “needs a break.” Novelli agreed to take his place. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.