Stinson Beach voters to consider parcel tax for fire department

The challenge of funding a small fire department that serves a popular vacation destination has led to a proposed parcel tax for Stinson Beach voters to consider on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The Stinson Beach Fire Protection District has a staff of five employees and a dozen volunteers who handle fires, medical emergencies and rescue calls. They primarily serve a community of about 480 residents, but the population expands every summer.

“If you’ve ever been out to the coast, you’ve seen our population grow to the tens of thousands on busy days here in this little pocket out in West Marin,” said Jesse Peri, the fire chief.

He said rising local housing costs and the high number of short-term rental houses have effected the district’s staffing model of professionals and volunteers.

“This robust volunteer group that we once had and was living in their town and serving their community has become increasingly more and more challenged with some of the obstacles that we’re facing,” Peri said.

Peri added that the district had to replace some positions with professional firefighters.

The staffing and funding strains, as well as rising health and safety needs for an aging population, prompted the district board to place Measures Q and R on the ballot.

Measure R proposes a parcel tax of 42 cents per building square foot, which could generate an estimated $700,000 a year. It needs a two-thirds vote of approval to pass. No organized opposition was filed, according to the county elections office.

Peri said that the estimated average square footage is 1,767 in Stinson Beach and so Measure R would generate an annual assessment of $742.14 for that size. The district board would have the ability to adjust the tax rate. Peri said that the board could increase the rate up to 3% a year, but “only under extreme conditions.”

Parcel owners ages 65 or over can obtain an annual exemption from paying the special tax, according to the bond measure.

Measure R, if approved, would remain in effect unless voters approve an ordinance that repeals the special tax or establishes a sunset date for it.

Measure Q would place limits on the amount of revenue that the district may spend.

Proponents hope Measure R funds will attract and keep professional firefighters and paramedic-certified professionals in the district, and maintain rapid 911 responses.

“Measure R will enable us to have the services, the career talent and the operational readiness that many in our community believe is necessary,” said Michele Sileo, a volunteer firefighter and Measure R campaigner.

She said campaigning is now being done through word-of-mouth.

“Our goal is to educate and inform every member of the Stinson Beach community, because when you hear the history and understand the reason why, it truly is, in my perspective, a no-brainer,” Sileo said.

The district’s financial challenges are reflected in its 2024-25 budget. Revenues are projected to be $1.5 million, mainly from $1.2 million in property taxes and $122,000 in transient occupancy taxes from vacation rentals. However, expenditures like salaries and operational costs are budgeted at $2 million, and the district forecasted an operating loss of $503,800.

Peri said that the district expects to spend $200,000 in reserve funds just to meet its staffing needs.

He emphasized his district’s obligation to protect its community.

“It’s not just a bunch of volunteers coming together to look out for their town,” Peri said. “Our residential infrastructure is somewhere in the range of $4.6 billion if you tally up all of the residential properties. We have a responsibility to serve that level and we need to increase our professionalism in order to meet those demands.”