Keep ‘Felton’ in Felton Fire
I admit I’d been debating regarding our Felton Fire proposal vote. I’d been reading the opponents’ reasoned arguments and realized some probably made sense. But then I remembered the Measure W vote in 2005 and quickly changed my mind.
For the benefit of my neighbors who did not live here 21 years ago: The California American Water (Cal-Am) ownership of Felton’s water system was a disaster.
Skyrocketing water rates. Calls to law enforcement when someone dared protest their pathetic repair efforts. Customer service inquiries directed to an Illinois call center. Snarky air-quote “town halls” when a Felton resident (um, me) questioned their public relations flacks who thought Felton residents were so cute in their quixotic efforts to give Cal-Am the boot. But we had the last laugh: nearly 75% of voters told Cal-Am to pack their bags.
I am so proud our town voted for local control in 2005, and hope my neighbors will similarly vote for local control of FFPD. I do realize it will result in a parcel tax increase. Raise of hands of those who favor tax increases… OK, zero.
But I struggle with the possibility that FFPD would be controlled by an outside entity. Which one? How much of a parcel tax? How much will they care about our town? Will they treat us as an inconvenience? How long will it take emergency services to reach my house when I call 911?
Comparable to my stance during 2005’s “water fight,” I support local control of our fire services. Save Felton Fire. Vote “yes.”
Toni Jeffrey
Felton
Accurate Facts About Felton Fire
Years ago, Felton Fire saved my son in a potentially life-threatening event at school, so when I heard of challenges last year, I exhaustively investigated FFPD’s options. My research revealed that the proposed property assessment is the best solution for reliable, sustainable, local emergency service.
I’ve never heard anyone say, “I want to pay taxes!” But since they’re a part of life, I appreciate having a say in where the money goes and what it’s used for. A positive vote guarantees the money stays in Felton and is spent wisely.
Unfortunately, inaccurate information has been spread by individuals who have not regularly attended board meetings, Town Halls or LAFCO meetings and who seem not to have thoroughly read the reports on Felton Fire’s future options or present turnaround.
Please verify the facts on your own rather than relying on social media, unsubstantiated opinions or wishful thinking.
Here are a few accurate facts:
• Felton Fire has responded to LAFCO recommendations with integrity and transparency. As recommended, this measure moves FFPD to a sustainable staffing model, reestablishment of a full-time Fire Chief, and stable funding.
• A hybrid staffing model depends on volunteers as well as paid staff. All four SLV fire districts combine paid and volunteer staff. With a successful FFPD assessment, staff compensation would be 55% of the total budget, well below the 60-85% national average for firefighting organizations.
• Independent financial statement audits are public at FeltonFire.com. The latest audit by Pehling and Pehling, CPAs was approved by the board on June 8, 2026, with zero issues indicated. The proposed assessment will include additional financial reporting and an oversight committee that community members can apply to join.
Secure Felton Fire’s future to effectively protect our families, neighbors, schools, businesses and homes by voting “yes” on the assessment.
Ilo Nilson
Felton
Questions to Weigh for Felton Fire Vote
I am a concerned property owner in the Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD). I’ve attended town hall meetings and have read hundreds of pages of documents related to the proposed added tax assessment to sustain the FFPD. I wish the FFPD could be sustained with its present level of funding, but it is clear to me that the FFPD must close if most of us vote “no.”
To vote wisely, each of us needs to answer two questions:
1. What option would give the FFPD the best service, based on quicker response times and better receptivity to local needs? Most careful reviewers agree that voting “yes” will give the best service.
2. Are FFPD property owners willing to pay the extra cost proposed in the assessment? No one wants to spend more than is necessary. We know the assessment will cost the average FFPD homeowner about $50/month more. None of the alternative providers are willing to say what they will charge until after the Felton Fire leadership votes to close the district. So, no one knows.
The good news is that the FFPD property owners are not the first owners who have asked these questions. Last year, Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District property owners voted “no” on their fire protection district assessment. Their tax assessment under their alternative provider was 40% higher than their local assessment would have been had they voted “yes.” Pajaro owners are stuck with higher bills for likely slower response times and loss of local control. Don’t let that happen to the Felton community.
Please vote “yes” while you still can.
John Payne
Mount Hermon
Support Felton Fire’s Turnaround
Ten months ago, I examined the 2025 LAFCO report that noted many deficiencies in Felton Fire’s emergency services. That was a wake-up call. Since then, the district has implemented a turnaround plan that included:
• Rebuilding the volunteer force to a squad of over 22.
• Improving community outreach via Zoom Board meetings, a revamped website and nine scheduled town hall meetings.
• Receiving 95% for transparency in the 2026 countywide LAFCO report, the highest of any local fire district.
• Initiating the special benefits assessment to secure a financially sustainable future.
• Initiating recruitment efforts for a full-time paid fire chief.
• Reducing 911 response times to the standard of a paid staffing model.
To maintain services at this level, and to ensure equipment and facilities stay functional, Felton Fire needs this assessment. LAFCO summarized that their 2026 service review “highlights that several districts still relied heavily on volunteer firefighters, a model that has become increasingly difficult to sustain due to declining volunteer availability, evolving training requirements and the steady increase in medical-related call volume…fire agencies have already begun transitioning toward hybrid or fully paid staffing models, and LAFCO identified this shift as essential for ensuring reliable, around-the-clock service.”
Felton Fire’s proposed assessment for paid round-the-clock staffing has been well researched to determine what is essential to meet the emergency needs of 900 calls per year, the second-highest call volume in SLV. And, the proposed assessment cost is less than what was estimated by LAFCO for County Fire to take us over.
I urge Felton property owners to support the fire assessment with known costs and staffing—keeping dollars and decisions local.
Wendy Lord
Mount Hermon
