Sutter Basin Fire District Minutes 7/8/2025

Opening

The regular meeting of the Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was called to order at 8:08 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Robbins Fire Department by Mark Richter.

Present

Mark Richter, Samuel Martin, Anthony Van Ruiten, Mike Bush, Matthew Lichenstein, Mona Sakurada, Joan Stephens and Kim Richter were in attendance.  

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. Motion to approve the agenda by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin and unanimously approved.

Public Comments

A conversation on the upcoming LAFCO meeting, and next steps with LAFCO, were discussed.  The upcoming LAFCO meeting presented some concerns on the direction of LAFCO and how the SBFPD fits into LAFCO’s ongoing plans.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of June 10, 2025, meeting were approved. Motion to approve by Anthony Van Ruiten. Second by Samuel Martin and unanimously approved.

Fire Chief Report 

The interim Fire Chief, Matt Lichenstein, provided the Fire Chief Report.  In the past month there have been nine fire service calls.  There have also been no changes in personnel. 

The SBFPD has supplied the firefighters with three structural turnouts, and the Robbins Fire Department has provided three structural turnouts also to provide firefighter safety measures.  There are three upcoming training sessions for the firefighters to attend.  All training sessions are in Knights Landing in contingent with the Knights Landing Firefighters. 

Interim Fire Chief Matt Lichenstein is actively engaged in establishing a grant for Wildland Turnout gear. The Wildland Turnout gear will provide another layer of safety for all firefighters.

Old Business

Status of Volunteers was provided by Interim Fire Chief Matt Lichenstein.  The Robbins Volunteer Firefighters remains static.

Status of the Paid Firefighters were presented.  There are presently four active paid firefighters.

Tax Assessment with SCI was discussed.  The Commissioners have met and established tax assessments rates on each property type in the Sutter Basin.  The Landclass and Property Types were presented and discussed by the Commissioners and public. After reviewing the assessment cost for each property, it was determined that there would be total revenue from the assessment of $140,000.00.  The monies created from the assessment will be used for Fire Chief and firefighter salaries.

The Tax Assessment will be placed on the ballot in the fall of 2026.  If the Tax Assessment passes, the assessment monies will be received for the SBFPD in the following property tax roll. All members of the public and the Commissioners spoke of the importance to pass the Tax Assessment for the SBFPD.

A motion by Samuel Martin to proceed with the SBFPD Tax Assessment was presented.  Anthony Van Ruiten provided a second on the motion.  The motion received unanimous approval.

Fire Department Structural Needs were presented to the Commissioners by Joan Stephens.  The structural needs are not quite complete.

Fire Chief Position should have resolution within a week’s time.

Five Year Plan will be completed with the input of the new Fire Chief, and in place as Commissioners go out to speak with the public on the upcoming Tax Assessment.

The Fee Schedule for Compensation was placed on hold until the new Fire Chief can provide additional input.

Audit – Smith and Newell is ongoing.

New Business

Budget for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year was placed on hold until the new Fire Chief is in place at the SBFPD.

Correspondence was on the upcoming LAFCO meeting.

Approval of monthly bills was discussed. At present there is a balance of $409,402.88 in the Sutter County Treasury, and $51,042.02 in the First Northern Bank account.  All bills were approved, a claim for $26,629.98 to restore the First Northern Bank account was approved by Commissioners and signed. In addition, all invoices and timecards were reviewed by Commissioners, and payable checks were signed by the Commissioners. A motion to approve the monthly bills was made by Samuel Martin.  Anthony Van Ruiten provided a second on the motion.  The motion received unanimous approval.

Agenda for Next Meeting

The Commissioners asked for an agenda item on the 2025-2026 budget.

Closed Session

The Commissioners adjourned into closed session.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:22 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