A ballot measure to authorize a special tax to support services provided by the Albion-Little River Fire Protection District appears to be rejected by voters according to unofficial results released by the county. Â
As of early Wednesday morning, 28.5% of the vote had been counted with Measure S receiving 57.66% votes in support and 42.34% opposed. The measure needs a two-thirds majority (66.67%) to pass.
Measure S seeks to increase the parcel unit tax for Albion-Little River residents. Measure S would be the first tax increase for the fire district in 10 years. Previous special taxes imposed by the fire district were a $40 tax passed in 2002, and a $75 tax passed in 2014.
The Albion-Little River Fire Protection District operates five fire stations in Albion and Little River, two unincorporated areas located on the central Mendocino Coast. The district’s service area is approximately 26 square miles. The district has both paid and volunteer firefighters.
Measure S will replace the $75 per parcel unit tax with a $300 per parcel unit tax, with a 2% annual increase.
The fire district estimates that the measure will bring in approximately $668,000 annually. All Measure S revenues will be placed in a fund that could only be used in the district. If passed, the tax’s first installment would be due in Dec. 2025.
According to Albion-Little River Fire Chief Michael Rees, the district’s volunteer firefighting model has become unsustainable. “We have the smallest roster and lowest turnout we’ve ever had historically,” Rees said. “And our call volume has gone up 300% in the last 10 years.”
5th District Supervisor Ted Williams, whose district includes Albion and Little River, emphasized that insufficient fire protection services could harm property owners’ ability to purchase fire insurance. Williams once served as fire chief for the district.
“If the community wants continued fire services, they need to fund the district adequately. If not, insurability will continue to decline,” Williams warned.