Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 6/6/2023

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:07 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, Marty Creel, Kim Richter, Joan Stephens, John Bliss and Emmanuel Peterson were in attendance.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Public Comments

Joan Stephens asked for an update on the Robbins Volunteer Fire Department 5013C status.  The commissioners referred Joan to the upcoming Robbins Volunteer Fire Department meeting for update status.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the March 7, 2023, meeting was approved. Motion by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report

Robbins Fire Chief, Marty Creel, spoke to communication, firefighter training, FASIS reorganization and the preliminary study of tax assessment.  The newly purchased SBFPD radios are being programmed and will then be installed in the apparatus.

Fire Chief Creel spoke to opportunity to use Vector Solutions for online training with the Volunteer Fireman.  In addition, Fire Chief Creel shared that FASIS, our workman’s compensation carrier, has restructured the Joint Powers Authority for our workman’s compensation under the new acronym, FRMS or Fire Risk Management Services.

Fire Chief Creel introduced his two guests, John Bliss and Emmanuel Peterson, who presented on the preliminary study for a tax assessment to increase revenues for the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District.

Presentation 

John Bliss and Emmanuel Peterson, from SCI, presented on obtaining a reliable funding source for the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District through a tax assessment.  At present the SBFPD is served through an Ad Valorem tax that is a tax, based on the assessed value of property. SCI shared two options to establish a tax assessment, the Ad Valorem Tax, or a Special Tax.  A Special Tax proposal was presented that would tax each property owner an established amount.  A hypothetical amount of $37.50 a year for each home, and $1.00 for each acre of land was presented.  With an established amount also for each commercial parcel, the Special Tax would provide a yearly revenue of $100,000 to the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District. 

In addition to the type of tax that would provide revenue, the type of voting process to establish the tax was presented.  A Benefit Assessment would be a vote by the landowners in the district with a simple majority to pass, or a Special Assessment would be a vote by all registered voters in the area and need a two-thirds majority to pass.  To determine landowners and type of properties in the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District, handouts with landowners and types of properties in the SBFPD were presented.

The presentation ended with the cost and timeline of a proposed assessment.  The initial proposal is free, a proposal with messaging is $3,000, and a full proposal of the assessment is $50,000.  The timeline would be to create a proposal, hire legal counsel to oversee the process, with ballots going out to potential voters in November.

The Commissioners thanked both John Bliss and Emmanuel Peterson for their presentation and efforts to explain the assessment process.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Fire Chief Creel.  The status of volunteers has increased by one, Jose Ramirez, for thirteen active firefighters. Checks for will be presented at the next Robbins Volunteer Fireman’s meeting to those who attended and participated in training workshops.

Hiring of a Paid Firefighter was reviewed.  Jacob Rodriquez will be working up to three days a week when he is available.

SBFPD Strategic Plan was discussed earlier during the SCI presentation.

New Business

SBFPD Tax Measure, that was presented by SCI, was discussed.  The assessment was determined to be specifically for a fireman’s salary and benefits, with the possibility of a new fire engine if needed.  Samuel Martin made a Motion to entertain the initial proposal from SCI.  Anthony Van Ruiten second the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.  The Commissioners then asked Fire Chief Creel to move forward with SCI for the initial proposal of the SBFPD Tax Measure. 

Parking Lot Repairs for the Robbins Community Hall parking lot were shared and discussed.  The Winship-Robbins ESD has proposed to pay 50% of the cost of repairs to the Robbins Community Hall parking lot.  The additional 50% cost would need to be paid through a partnership of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District and the Robbins Community Hall. All agreed that the parking lot needs substantial repairs.  All Commissioners agreed to go forward with the proposal to work in partnership with the Robbins Community Hall to make necessary repairs to the Robbins Community Hall parking lot.

Correspondence was from Sutter County Office of Elections.  After discussion on whether to have Sutter County Office of Elections to administrate the election of commissioners, or to provide the election ourselves, a motion to have the Sutter County Office of Elections administrate the election of Commissioners was made by Anthony Van Ruiten, and second by Samuel Martin, and unanimously approved.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $407,729.42 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $12,764.92 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $13,279.65 to restore the First Northern Bank account was approved and signed. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners.

Agenda for Next Meeting

The 2023 – 2024 Fiscal Budget will be reviewed and discussed at the next Commissioners’ meeting.

Closed Session

There was no closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m. by Mark Richter. Motion by Samuel Martin. Second by Anthony Van Ruiten, and unanimously approved.

Minutes submitted by:	Kimberly Richter
Approved by:	Mark Richter