Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District authorizes public notice for FY 2025–26 budget amid resident concerns about funding and safety

The Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to authorize public noticing of the preliminary fiscal year 2025–26 budget, after a staff presentation that outlined the authority’s revised $14.3 million budget and the district’s share under a joint-powers agreement with the Community Services District.

In a presentation to the board, a staff member summarized the fire authority’s revised total budget as roughly $14,300,000, with about $13,240,000 allocated for operations, roughly $500,000 to cover an ambulance-service deficit, a small shortfall for fire prevention, and about $540,000 for debt service. Under the 50/50 cost-share JPA with the Community Services District, the presenter said the district’s net obligation was about $6,960,000 and the net impact to the district’s fund balance was roughly $1,600,000. Staff recommended approving the…