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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Calaveras County Grand Jury
• 2008-2009
NEW Hogan Annexation Report 2006-2007 Responses
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 6 findings
F1
Page 37
LAFCO designated the New Hogan area to be within the FFPD sphere of influence in 2000 when the County Fire Department was divided into the existing special fire protection districts. Annexation of the New Hogan area was requested by FFPD in 2006 and a waiver of LAFCO fees for this process was requested when development of a small portion of the area began. LAFCO fees were originally waived for all of the newly formed districts at the time of formation in 2000. However, in 2006, LAFCO refused to waive the $2000 annexation fee for FFPD due to the delay in completing the process as originally planned.
F2
Page 37
The fire protection portions of county property taxes from the New Hogan area have been going to FFPD. Fire protection for New Hogan area development is being provided and not in question. Annexation of the area, however, has not been completed.
F3
Page 37
There is no financial incentive for annexation of New Hogan or other comparable areas by any special districts, until there is a buildup of a significant portion of the area. Development would then increase a special district’s portion of the assessed valuation. It is too late for needed infrastructure planning once there is a significant buildup of an area. Although annexation, then, becomes a financial reward, it does not assure that planning for critical infrastructure will occur. 33
F4
Page 33
Station 2 is not only inadequate to house equipment and administration, but does not appear to meet county building code standards. In a site visit it was noted that a major portion of a cinder block wall was removed for a vehicle pass-through with no header and post bracing. The Grand Jury could find no record of a permit being issued to have this wall removed. This may constitute a safety hazard to the people working in the building and the public attending meetings. Further investigation revealed the initial permits for expansion of the building have not received final approval. 29
F5
Page 34
FFPD is shorthanded of volunteer fire fighters. Currently there is an insufficient number of drivers with a Class B drivers license required to operate four of the larger fire apparatus.
F6
Page 35
Management and building deficiencies within the district have been exacerbated by lack of funding. Without a full time fire chief, there has been a legacy of last minute planning and personnel problems. A shoestring approach to the completion of the much-needed new Station #1 has contributed to the district’s existing problems. How well the district will serve its current and future residents will depend on the implementation of long range fiscal planning now. Although planned development and assessed valuation increases within the district can answer some of the district financial shortcomings, there may not be sufficient increases in funding for the district to catch up with projected growth and infrastructure requirements.
Recommendations 6
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R1Page 33An updated policy and procedures manual.
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R2Page 33A comprehensive fire fighter training plan. This training plan should establish goals for the number of personnel recommended at various training levels and skills plus how to achieve these goals by December 2007.
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R3Page 33A long-term plan, which should include short and long term elements. This is critical to establishing funding levels, equipment needs, staff requirements, and apparatus replacement to meet infrastructure requirements of FFPD by December 2007. In addition, the District’s long-term plan should take into account, and coordinate with, the Calaveras County General Plan update.
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R4Page 33Hire a Fire Chief. RESPONSE FROM FFPD BOARD OF DIRECTORS The District understands and will consider the recommendations. In response, the following information is provided for the Grand Jury's consideration. • Policies and procedures manuals are continually being updated. • The District's training plan has been implemented, and new training programs have been set in place. • The board of directors has been working on a long-range planning document for some time. Completion of Station Non 1 in Burson has been a priority project in those plans. As the area continues to grow the District's plan will be expanded to include consideration of changes in growth patterns and public safety service needs. • A permanent fire chief has been in place for several months. GRAND JURY DETERMINATION 2007-2008 The Grand Jury determines this response is adequate.
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R5Page 41Jenny Lind FPD has not to date submitted any type of application to LAFCO requesting that Jenny Lind's Sphere of Influence be amended to 37 include the New Hogan Lake service area. Nor have they submitted a request to annex that area into their district.
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R6Page 42The proper agency for reviewing annexation requests is the Calaveras County Local Agency Formation Commission, an independent commission. It is responsible for, among other things, (a) reviewing boundary change requests, formations or dissolution of special districts, and (b) studying municipal services and future growth of existing special districts under their jurisdiction. More detail on these services may be found in the aforementioned "Fire and Emergency Response Services in the New Hogan Lake Area" study. A. Response to Finding 1: