This is a thread all about Measure "O" and the consolidation, annexation or merger of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District in the County controlled ConFire apparatus. The 2016 Ballot Approved (66.7% of the vote) Measure O is a $216 parcel tax measure that assesses an $18 per month parcel tax per each property, that receives a tax bill from the County Tax Assessors Office. Exempt are senior citizens over 65 years of age that own and occupy a home within boundaries of the RHFD. At the time Measure O was conceived it was believed that growth in Hercules and Rodeo would require at least three full functioning fire stations. At the time there were only two one in Hercules and another in Rodeo. The vision, was looking at the apartments being added, the train station and the ferry as well as additional businesses and residences. Designed to kick in within the 2021-2022 budget year it was anticipated that by then demand for these services would be there and money wouldn't. Of course we know now that this demand has yet to materialize, however while it may not exist now it might just change in the future. The key take away is that this "Parcel Tax" could only be used for a specific purpose "Fire Protection" and within a certain boundary "Hercules-Rodeo Fire District", however not so much as soon as it was passed there was a movement conceived to annex the Hercules-Rodeo Fire District into the County Controlled ConFire Apparatus. Which in effect would entitle the ConFire aka The Contra Costa County apparatus to now be able to decide how to spend those funds, and here in lies the rub. What advantage is there to RHFD merge with ConFire? Is it a benefit to the residents are is it a benefit to the County. Is this just another ploy by the County to eliminate Pinole-Hercules autonomy by eliminating the Animal Shelters, Fire Districts and yes perhaps even our Law Enforcement apparatus as a way to claw back these enclaves and our lucrative tax base? I propose creating a Residents for an Independent Pinole-Hercules to actively call attention to and resist this effort, and prevent the county from funding candidates and elected officials that carry their water for them and exert their influence on our fair cities.
Here is the link to Measure "O" on Ballotopedia:
Could this be the real reason for the annexation of RHFD into ConFire?
Cities, counties see monopolization of EMS as way to forestall pension reform