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| Merger in the works for local fire districts By MATT KAPKO Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:11 AM PDT Half Moon Bay Review The Half Moon Bay and Point Montara Fire Protection Districts are discussing a possible merger, thereby contemplating an end for the two historical districts and creating a new, expanded service area of approximately 50 square miles, according to officials. The two boards met in a joint session last week to learn more about the consolidation process from Martha Poyatos, executive officer with the county's Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). LAFCo is the agency responsible for approving any consolidation of more than one jurisdiction and its "aim is to deliver equity in all areas," Poyatos said. Either district can get the consolidation process under LAFCo review with a resolution, or it can come from below - by a petition of 5 percent of registered voters within either district. A resolution by any affected local agency or school district would produce the same result. LAFCo has little discretion, however, if both of the districts make a resolution for the merger. Government code dictates that LAFCo must approve the consolidation application if both districts adopt similar resolutions. And although nothing can be certain until the consolidation is final, the involved players are expecting a full range of positive and negative repercussions from such a move. Half Moon Bay Fire Chief James Asche said, "I would like to see a standard level of service on all parts of the coast," and he says that's the reason he is looking into consolidation. However, he added, "There's still some issues between the two districts that haven't been resolved. "We would like to see a different form of relationship between the two districts." His comments mirror the strained relationship and show that not everyone is as optimistic. Asche admits that one of the most difficult tasks will be "developing a level of trust between the two fire districts." Some believe that nothing beneficial could come from a consolidation when considering the allegations being levied against the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District, and the numerous disparities between it and the Point Montara Fire Protection District. One key difference is the disparity in benefit assessments collected by each district. HMBFPD has charged an annual parcel fee (currently $35) since the early '80s and PMFPD collects $177 from each residence, but its board of directors has the ability to raise it as high as $250. Another difference that will need to be resolved district-wide is HMBFPD's weed abatement program and PMFPD's fee for checking smoke detectors. Special services such as these will need to be the same for the entire service area if consolidation goes through. One issue that may come to a head is the fact that there will be no requirements for directors to come from certain areas within the consolidated district. For instance, if voters so decided, directors could come entirely from Half Moon Bay, leaving other areas largely unrepresented. That was HMBFPD Director David Eufusia's concern, and it was reaffirmed by Poyatos, who clearly said, "There's no guidelines for representation." Some legwork on a consolidation has already been done though, according to Asche. When the two districts entered a joint services agreement in 1998 they essentially consolidated their labor force into one group, placing it under HMBFPD management, and Asche says that could streamline things. "The biggest hurdle that either of these districts would have to go through before consolidation could take place has already happened," Asche said. PMFPD hasn't had any employees since that contract was signed, and with all employees placed under HMBFPD management, it has little say in how the labor force is managed. Capt. Keith Roberts spoke from the firefighters' perspective, saying, "It's our opinion that it's best for all Coastsiders for the two districts to stay together." Consolidation is still a process that will take time. "I would not try to rush something like this," Poyatos said. Once LAFCo approves the application, there will be a two-month wait for a LAFCo hearing, then another two months before a protest hearing is scheduled. Depending on the outcome of the protest hearing, an election may be required if more than 25 percent, but less than 50 percent oppose the consolidation. Under those circumstances, LAFCo would only require a majority of support from the entire district, rather than a majority from each. The two boards are expected to continue discussing this process at their regular board meetings over the next few months. |