Town report estimates $25.6M—7.5M capital and $3.4M—.0M annual operations for initiative; council votes to receive analysis

Town staff and an outside consultant team presented a California Elections Code Section 9,212 report to the Ross Town Council on Jan. 8, designed to analyze the fiscal, land-use and operational consequences of a ballot initiative proposed by Friends of the Ross Firehouse.

Susie Kim of RSG summarized the report's scope and principal findings. The report concluded rehabilitation of the existing structure was infeasible to meet the town's full public-safety program needs and observed that accommodating a fully staffed engine at the civic center would require either relocating other municipal functions or a new build. The written analysis placed the low-to-high range of total one-time costs at $25,600,000 to $37,500,000 and projected additional annual operating costs between $3,400,000 and $5,000,000 starting in year one, depending on whether the town restored staffing through the Ross Valley Fire Department or established an independent department.

Stuart (Stu) Gary of City Gate Associates presented operational cost models. City Gate's analysis estimated year-one startup costs (apparatus and personnel) and annual operating-cost deltas for two options: re-employing additional personnel within the JPA (lower-cost option) or forming a stand-alone single-station department (higher-cost option). Gary warned that a unilateral departure from the JPA would trigger review under LAFCO and could destabilize partner agencies.

Mary McGrath (architect) summarized space needs that drove the town's cost estimates: a one-story two-company station sized at approximately 7,602 sq ft and a two-story headquarters option at about 10,145 sq ft, with construction-cost models and contingency factors applied. McGrath and KPA Group concluded that retaining the existing footprint and meeting current ADA, Essential Services Act and seismic performance objectives while also satisfying police program needs would be difficult without added scope and costs.

Town staff highlighted financing implications. The town's current public-safety parcel tax raises roughly $1,000,000 per year (about $1,200 per parcel); consultants said funding the lower operating option would require an approximate parcel-tax increase to about $5,400 per parcel, while the higher-cost scenario would imply a levy near $7,200 per parcel. The report outlined debt options (certificates of participation, general obligation bonds requiring two-thirds voter approval, or a Mello-Roos community facilities district) and noted interest and issuance costs would add to total program cost.

After presentations and public comment, the council voted 3-2 to adopt Resolution No. 2544 receiving the Elections Code report. Several councilmembers and residents urged the council to convene a working group or return with a staff scope to evaluate Friends' rehabilitation proposal and refine cost and feasibility comparisons. Others cautioned that any viable path forward must address operational funding and legal constraints with the JPA and possible LAFCO review.

The council's receipt of the report does not itself authorize construction or financing; it records the staff analysis required by State Elections Code and sets the town up to consider next steps, including additional technical study, public outreach, and potential ballot scheduling.

Resolution adopted: The council voted to receive the Elections Code Section 9,212 report (Resolution No. 2544) by a 3-2 margin.