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Angel Fire council approves wildfire protection fees tied to defensible‑space assessments
Summary
The Village of Angel Fire adopted Resolution 2026‑44 to adjust wildfire protection fees, using a 4.2% CPI update and a 50% discount for properties with compliant defensible‑space assessments; noncompliant properties absorb redistributed costs and repeat noncompliance can bring a fine up to $100.
The Village of Angel Fire on Monday voted to adopt Resolution 2026‑44, a new fee structure for wildfire protection tied to defensible‑space (DSO) assessments.
Chief (Speaker 7), who presented the resolution, said staff updated the CPI factor to 4.2% and built in a compliance discount that reduces fees for properties that complete a DSO assessment and meet standards. "If they are DSO compliant, they will have that reduced to $5.21," the presenter said, citing an example for lots under 1 acre. He added that noncompliant properties would pay a higher amount after that discount is redistributed; the example table shows a noncompliant rate of $10.56 where the FY26 base had been $10.
The presenter said the village has recorded about 118 DSO assessments, of which 113 were complete and entered into the Smartsheet data collection system used by staff. He also told the council the ordinance includes language to provide the first assessment and a follow‑up at no charge, but allows the village to impose a fine up to $100 if inspectors must return to the same property and no corrective actions were taken.
Councilor motions to adopt the resolution passed on roll call (Mayor Pro Tem Crane, Councilor Howe, Councilor Weeks and Councilor Curry voted aye). After the vote the presenter invited councilors to review the back‑end data collection system that calculates the fees.
Why it matters: The update ties fees directly to documented DSO compliance, aiming to create an incentive for property owners to reduce wildfire risk while shifting costs for noncompliance. The change also formalizes recordkeeping and a modest enforcement mechanism.
What's next: The resolution takes effect as written; staff said the lists will be reconciled after a June 1 compliance cutoff to compute charges for the coming fiscal period.
