Tuolumne supervisors approve CAL FIRE amendment that reduces funding and six positions after heated public outcry

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an amendment to its cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE for fiscal year 2026–27 that reduces the three‑year contract and eliminates six firefighter positions, the board announced after an extended debate and public comment session.

Supporters of keeping current staffing levels — including firefighters, union representatives and hundreds of residents who packed the meeting — urged the board to preserve funding for Station 56 in Twain Harte, saying the change will raise insurance costs, slow emergency response and put lives at risk. “By taking away one single fire station, you’re also taking away not just the staff at that fire station, but also the equipment,” Julie Fountain told the board during public comment.

Board discussion focused on a narrow set of options staff had prepared and the county’s limited budget flexibility. County staff summarized the amendment as a reduction of $2,372,756 to the existing cooperative agreement and the elimination of six positions; CAL FIRE representatives warned that some personnel actions and notices had already been set in motion to meet contractual timelines. At the meeting chair (Speaker 1) repeated that the vote before the board was to accept the contract amendment as presented.

The debate also turned to long‑term funding. Several supervisors and residents pressed for a dedicated revenue measure to sustain county fire services, noting recent failed ballot measures and uncertainties about contingency funds. “We have to work collaboratively to explore restructuring options and revenue measures,” Supervisor (Speaker 3) said during deliberations, urging staff to return with options for a permanent funding source.

Board members made and considered several substitute motions — including motions to reject the amendment and to table the matter until later in the year — producing a series of 2–2–1 outcomes that briefly deadlocked the board. After a recess and additional discussion, the board completed action on the amendment; the chair declared the item completed at the meeting’s conclusion.

CAL FIRE and local fire leaders cautioned the board that the agency had already taken personnel steps tied to the January notice period and that restoring staffing later would depend on negotiations and funding. Assistant Chief Nathan Gorham (CAL FIRE, Speaker 41) told the board that if the board reversed course after those notices, “we couldn’t guarantee that we could staff [Station 56],” noting employees had already left in anticipation of the change.

The board’s action formalizes a fiscal change the county said is necessary to avoid deeper cuts elsewhere in county services. Several speakers asked for transparency about how previously saved fire fund balances and contingency monies have been used; supervisors said some contingency funds are already committed to other obligations. The board directed staff to continue exploring long‑term funding and partnerships that could restore or replace lost service if the community pursues a ballot measure or other revenue option.

The board paused the meeting during the extended debate for closed‑session items and returned to conclude the action; supervisors indicated they will continue efforts to identify sustainable funding options and report back.

The resolution approved the amendment to the CAL FIRE agreement as presented by staff; the board did not at the meeting adopt a separate funding plan to reverse the staffing reductions. The next procedural step is for staff and county counsel to finalize contract paperwork and for the county and CAL FIRE to implement the amended agreement’s terms.