Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District

Cooperative Fire Protection Provided by CAL FIRE

Fire Protection & Emergency Response Services Assessment 

Ballot Tabulation Results

March 19, 2024

On behalf of Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors, I would like to thank our Staff and firefighters, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and residents that helped in the 218 Benefit Assessment process.

Unfortunately, we did not receive the needed votes for this assessment to pass. As a result, your local fire engine at the Pajaro Valley Fire Station will drop to two-person daily staffing starting July 1, 2024. 

This will result in delayed action at fire incidents due to industry safety standards as well as decreased efficiency at the scene of medical or rescue type incident due to the complexity of those calls and the tasks that must be completed in a safe manner. Despite this decreased staffing, we assure you that our Pajaro Valley Firefighters have always, and will always, continue to do the best that they can with the staffing that is available to successfully mitigate emergency calls for service within the district.

While we, as a Board, feel that the 218 Benefit Assessment is a fair and objective means of asking residents to pay their fair share, the majority of property owners felt otherwise.  In my view, a small home on a modest lot should pay less than a large commercial structure on acreage. We tried to get the word out regarding Prop 218 Benefit Assessment with press releases, zoom meetings and in person public meetings, unfortunately it failed. 

The Pajaro Valley Fire District Board will continue to explore all possible funding avenues to ensure an adequate emergency response to calls for service within the district.

Dave Martone, Board Chair

Total number of assessment ballots returned:

842

Total number of Yes ballots:

465

Total weight of Yes votes:

$132,028.67

Percentage of Yes ballots:

45.58%

Total number of No ballots:

367

Total weight of No votes:

$157,641.42

Percentage of No ballots:

54.42%

Total number of invalid ballots:

10

Total weight of invalid votes

$2,236.90

Total number of assessment ballots received after the close of the Public Hearing:

842

 

 


The Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District serves a rural community of approximately 18,000 people. The District covers approximately 52 square miles (the largest fire district in Santa Cruz County), a large part of which is an unincorporated area surrounding City of Watsonville. The district encompasses both SRA and LRA lands, and has the duty to respond to all fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and many other hazardous situations. On an average, the district runs 1600 calls per year.

Pajaro Valley Fire District is a one station department housing two type 1 engines, and one type 1 water tender.

Pajaro Valley has automatic and mutual aid agreements with the City of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County Fire in Corralitos, Aromas Tri-County Fire, and South Santa Clara County Fire District. These agreements work in favor of all departments involved.

Mission Statement

The Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District Firefighters protect life, property and the environment through their direct involvement in fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, disaster response, public education and community service. We operate in a safe and fiscally responsible manner and continuously tailor ourselves to the needs of the community.

Pajaro Valley Fire

About Us
Fire Station
Apparatus
Board of Directors
Burn Permits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Prevention

Public Education
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Fire Safety
Burning Rules & Regulations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

 
Pajaro Valley Fire Station
562 Casserly Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
Office Tel 831.722.6188
Office Fax 831.722.7333