HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Measure T
AGENDA ITEM #8
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MEETING DATE: August 4, 2021
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Brian C. Wright, General Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Supporting Measure T and Adoption of
Resolution 2021-13.
APPROVED BY______________________________
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution 2021-13 supporting ballot Measure T, a parcel tax that will cost property
owners approximately $179 per parcel, per year, to provide local funding for wildfire
protection.
BACKGROUND:
As wildfires continue to get larger, faster and more destructive, fire prevention and
protection services are more important than ever and additional resources are needed to
clear dry brush, remove fire hazards and better protect against wildfire emergencies. Our
forests are now experiencing a 100-year buildup of dry brush and dead trees. Removing
these materials in an environmentally responsible way would help reduce our risk of
wildfires and improve the health of our forests and watersheds by restoring a more natural
balance.
On April 20, the Truckee Fire Protection District Board voted unanimously to place
Measure T, a Wildfire Protection Measure, on the September 14 election ballot.
If approved by two-thirds of local voters, Measure T would cost property owners $179 per
parcel, per year to provide a stable, dedicated source of local funding for wildfire prevention
and mitigation. Measure T could address the following needs:
Removing dry brush, dead trees and fire hazards
Providing homeowners with easy and inexpensive disposal options for
trimmings and green waste
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Adding firebreaks where needed to help prevent or slow the spread of
wildfire
Improving early fire detection and emergency warning systems
Improving emergency evacuation systems
Supporting defensible space and hardening around homes, neighborhood
and critical infrastructure
Truckee Fire Protection District has included the following fiscal accountability provisions
within Measure T as well:
All money raised by Measure T would be spent locally to provide fire
protection and prevention services
No funds could be taken away by the State
An independent citizens’ oversight committee is required to ensure funds are
spent as promised
Measure T automatically expires after eight years and cannot be renewed
without voter approval
An exemption from the cost of Measure T is available for low-income
residents
Over the past five years wildfire statistics have been staggering. According to CalFire and
Wildfire Defense:
Annual average of 7,874 wildfires in California
Burning 1,223,831 acres of land
Destroying an average of 1,274 structures
Due to high temperatures and lack of moisture levels given the dryer than normal winter
season we just experienced, our region is particularly susceptible to wildfire risk.
Some precautions the District has taken to reduce the wildfire risk include:
Implementation of an approved Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Development of vegetation management and tree removal programs with
annual contract now reaching more than $1.5M
Overall hardening of District’s electric and water system for extreme winter
and summer weather conditions.
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On July 7, 2021 Chief Bill Seline and community member Pam Hobday presented
information on Measure T to the District. It was the Board’s consensus to formally support
Measure T.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.