Property Tax: The primary source of funding for NSCFPD is the real property taxes paid by all property owners within this service area. Currently, 19.2% of all ad-valorem property taxes collected within the District are allocated to fire protection. Approximately 46% of those funds are lost to ERAF; the balance is allocated to NSCFPD.
The tax revenues allocated for the benefit of fire services in the district are used to provide the following:
- An annual contract with CAL FIRE provides career firefighter response on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis from the South Station. This contract also provides for the inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus. Additionally, CAL FIRE is also responsible for providing training to the volunteer fire fighters and being responsible for day-to-day operations of the department.
- The acquisition of all fire and emergency services engines, rescue vehicles and other support vehicles.
- The acquisition of much of the equipment needed by NSCFPD to support their fire and emergency response activities. This includes but is not limited to medical response equipment, vehicle accident response equipment and other related supplies.
- The use of the South Station for the purpose of housing at least two fire and/or emergency response vehicles and the contracted CAL FIRE personnel.
- General operational expenses for the fire department.
Sales Tax: Starting in October 2024 additional funding will be available from the sales tax that was created by the passage of Measure H in March of 2024. This revenue will help to fill the gap left by the loss of funds to ERAF and make the District financially stable. Funds from the sales tax will be used to pay for additional full-time career CAL FIRE staff, for paid administrative staff to run the District, firefighting apparatus, and the long-awaited project to expand and complete the North Fire Station.
Donations: The North Sonoma Coast Volunteer Firefighters Association (also known as The Sea Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation and is the owner of the North Fire Station. NSCVFA obtains all of its funding through charitable donations, much of which is received from the annual Memorial Weekend picnic or from donations received in response to the annual newsletter. NSCVFA also has an annual sale of Christmas trees, the net proceeds of which as used to fund education scholarships as well as other department expenses.
NSCVFA uses the funding that it receives for the following purposes:
- Maintenance and operation of the North Fire Station.
- The purchase of specialized fire or emergency response equipment, supplies, and clothing.