Amador County – Amador Fire Protection Authority board of directors last week discussed Proposition 172 public safety funding and its possible loss, along with consolidation.
Supervisor Ted Novelli read an e-mail from Sheriff Martin Ryan, that said lost revenues of Proposition 172 to county public emergency response agencies would be $462,000 in 2012-2013, and the loss would increase by $80,000 to $90,000 each year until 2016. Ryan said the distribution formula for 172 funds was written in good economic times, and he might be asking supervisors to revisit that formula.
Novelli said: “We don’t know what is going to happen with these Prop 172 funds,” and like the sheriff pointed out, the county faces a $3.8 million deficit next year.
Jackson Valley Fire’s Jake Herfel said he was sympathetic about economics, was interested in the chain of command, and his department is bound by a service agreement with the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians and its casino project.
Novelli said it affects not just the sheriff’s department but jails and probation. Ryan in the e-mail said he also lost money from Prop 109’s realignment of jails. Novelli said: “I don’t think anybody here wants Prop 172 funds to go away,” including the sheriff, but with the budget the way it is, he did not know the future.
Jackson Vice Mayor Connie Gonsalves suggested members gather Prop 172 accounting, “so we can prove we need the money when the fight comes, in my mind.” Sutter Creek Fire District’s Reed Shugart said “this board may want to ask supervisors if that money will be there because you can’t talk about consolidation without knowing if the money will be there for their future.”
Gonsalves said: “I’m not so sure I agree with Reed.” She said voters approved the county-wide Measure M tax to fund fire services, which it can rely on. She said “the Prop 172 money is a factor but I don’t know if it’s a break-it factor.”
Jackson City Manager Mike Daly said $163,000 was allocated to all AFPA agencies last year. Jackson received $20,000. In October 2011, Supervisors decided to fund the Amador Plan with it, including Camino dispatch. Daly said money coming back to the cities and agencies, if any is coming back, would be $39,000 to split among all departments, instead of $163,000.
Sutter Creek Fire’s Hal Gamble said “I hope the Amador Plan is going away next year.” Jackson Valley Fire’s Jake Herfel disagreed because the sheriff does not want to take over the work, and “I think we’re getting a good deal for the money now.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
