I've yet to figure out why fire departments were separated into Fire Protection Districts and why there would be any prevailing thought as to why they should be treated differently as regards General Fund distributions.
Anyone know the answer to those questions? I also think that creating service areas makes sense. That is how the District is structured now. But, the current method of assigning revenue/expenditures to those areas does not make sense. The largest, rural areas have lower property values thus lower property tax receipts, lower just about everything that brings in revenue. By definition, those zones are less likely to break even.
The lawsuit is based on the constitutional question of how the vote was handled. If the County prevails, we're still going to have to deal with the shortfall one way or another. A new ballot measure that requires the 2/3's majority is going to be a hard sell. I think a good campaign could swing it. That will cost $$. If it fails, then what? Home sales are dipping. I hope the current budget projections aren't too optimistic about that part of the revenue projections.
I also wonder how many FPD's around the state are having the same problem.
As for spending money on the lawsuit. It doesn't matter which pocket the money is coming out of - it's our pair of pants.
