Ukiah Valley Fire District receives FY 2024-25 mitigation fee report; board hears funding and staffing updates

The Ukiah Valley Fire District Board received the district—s final mitigation fee report for fiscal year 2024-25 at its Oct. 14 meeting. Chief Singleton told the board a packet correction increased investment income by $1,880, bringing the mitigation reserve to $89,961. He said the district has continued using mitigation funds to support the Lovers Lane mortgage and to partially cover replacement apparatus costs (up to 10% for a replacement vehicle; up to 100% for an addition).

Staff noted a marked increase in mitigation revenue tied chiefly to development at the former Masonite property: a three-story roughly 90,000-square-foot building and two warehouses (approximately 60,000 and 40,000 square feet), plus some residential growth. Chief Singleton also reported a first-quarter total of about $134,000 in incoming mitigation-related fees.

Following the presentation, a director moved and the board voted to receive the final mitigation fee report for FY 2024-25.

In director—s report items, a district representative who attended a District Board Association meeting said Mendocino Redwood Company has begun to stop paying special parcel taxes in certain jurisdictions where state statute or qualifying land designations limit local taxing authority. The representative said districts are watching legal developments and may explore alternative tax language or state legislation; in some instances the company has offered voluntary donations. The district representative also outlined a proposed ballot initiative intended to lock TOT and Measure P funding for fire services, explaining that a citizen initiative would require about 6,000 signatures to qualify and that projected campaign costs could reach approximately $60,000; funding for the signature-gathering and campaign would likely come from affiliated nonprofits or donations rather than district general funds.

In the chief—s report, Chief Singleton said Captain Ricky is moving to medical retirement, triggering a promotional process. The department reported ongoing recruitment and that only one floor vacancy remains on the roster, with two captains out on disability; one captain may return within a month. The chief reported 5,748 incidents for the calendar year to date, about 4,228 9-1-1 incidents and roughly 520 interfacility transports (IFTs). He described expanded ALS coverage, including a second flex ALS unit running variable 10- to 12-hour schedules and coordination with Adventist for rainy-season patient-transport planning.

The board also heard that the command staff has submitted edits to the strategic plan; the city manager is reviewing the consolidated document prior to distribution for review.

No members of the public were present in person or online for public comment on these items.