Big Bear Fire Authority approves budget with targeted cuts after heated public and board debate

The Big Bear Fire Authority on Sept. 9 approved a revised fiscal 2025–26 budget that trims approximately $264,500 in near‑term spending and directs staff to report back on remaining funding and service implications.

The board approved a motion to adopt the previously circulated budget with three specific reductions: defer the Station 282 roof replacement ($150,000), eliminate a health‑retirement account benefit for ambulance operators ($75,000) and remove a $39,500 street‑light reimbursement line that had appeared in authority operating expenses. The motion passed by roll call after extended debate among directors over whether additional cuts recommended by the finance committee should be included.

The decision followed a weeks‑long finance committee effort and a chief’s presentation of possible savings that collectively could total roughly $2.1 million if fully implemented. Chief Wagner outlined potential measures including eliminating battalion‑chief take‑home vehicles (estimated annual savings $12,428.29), not backfilling two firefighter vacancies (estimated combined saving $276,364) and the use of “brownouts” — scheduled short‑term reductions in engine coverage — which he estimated could save about $440,000 annually.

Those brownout proposals drew the strongest resistance from the public and members of the board. “We could have lost an entire block,” said a resident who recalled a recent Sugarloaf structure fire and warned that reduced coverage can delay responses by 15–20 minutes. Multiple speakers and directors urged the board to find alternatives to brownouts because of the possible life‑safety effects.

Directors also pressed staff on multiple line items: ambulance overtime costs (identified in the budget materials as about $588,845 per year), ambulance membership write‑offs (~$8,500), and whether certain lease and pass‑through payments (a $48,000 Baldwin Lake station lease to Cal Fire) are correctly recorded in authority revenue and expense lines. Chief Wagner confirmed staff will produce follow‑up calculations and that some reimbursements — including a recently received COVID reimbursement of $27,469.66 and an anticipated winter‑storm reimbursement of up to $90,000 — are already in process.

Board members and counsel discussed the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) funding mechanics; counsel noted the authority typically invoices member agencies after a budget is adopted and explained the agency can continue to operate under last year’s budget until a final budget is adopted by statutory deadlines. Several directors warned that adopting a budget without clear funding parity could create a temporary shortfall and asked staff to prepare multiple funding scenarios.

The board directed staff to return at the next meeting with a clear analysis of the budget the board adopted, the outstanding funding questions (including how invoices will be apportioned under the JPA), and the service ramifications of any cuts the board accepts. That report will inform whether additional modifications are needed.

The chief emphasized that some savings are uncertain and that several options remain on the table. “If this is the direction you direct me to go, it is going to be to look at all of our call volumes for the last five years to find where there’s most likely to have the least impact,” he said.

What’s next: Staff will present the requested funding and service‑impact analysis at the next regular meeting. The board can amend the approved budget after receiving those details.