Weighted ballot approves coastal wildfire assessment district; council validates tabulation

Property owners in the proposed coastal wildland fire suppression assessment district returned a majority weighted ballot to fund enhanced fire suppression services for coastal parcels, and the City Council validated the tabulation on June 30.

Fire Chief Chris Males and staff tabulated ballots after closing the public hearing. Of 2,285 ballots mailed, 994 were returned. The weighted tabulation showed 52.95% in favor and 47.05% opposed, and staff recommended the council adopt the resolution establishing the assessment district.

“This afternoon we bring what we hope is the final chapter in the coastal wildland fire suppression assessment district vote,” Chief Males told council as staff prepared tabulation and validation procedures. The council returned to the dais later and adopted the resolutions implementing the tabulation result.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with the legal steps to implement the assessment district consistent with the tabulation and will notify affected property owners of the next administrative steps. The council’s adoption authorizes city staff to finalize the assessment process as described in the engineer’s report.

Speakers and presenters: Chief Chris Males (Fire Department), Chief Deulio (logistics and tabulation process).

Actions: Tabulation validated and resolution adopted to establish the coastal wildfire suppression assessment district following weighted ballot results (yes 52.95%).

Why it matters: The newly established assessment district, if implemented per the engineer’s report, will levy annual assessments on parcels within the coastal zone to provide funding for fire‑suppression resources targeted at coastal wildland risk.