District should live within its means: Vote no on F

Our 2019 property tax bill reveals a 1997 Arcata Fire tax of $30, a 2006 fire tax of $132 and now they want $192!

AFD claims that 44% of their vehicles are out of commission due to deferred maintenance. Perhaps AFD should manage their money more wisely. According to Transparent California, the chief’s pay and benefits totaled $186,983 in year 2016. Year 2017, it increased to $195,962. Year 2019, it increased again to $212,693. His brother’s salary, along with all battalion chiefs and captains, increased substantially, too. Instead of using funds for maintenance, it went toward substantial salary increases. To review the exorbitant salaries received by the AFD, please enter Arcata Fire Department Salaries in California on the Yahoo page. Scroll down and click on Transparent California. Scroll down to Fire Protection, then click on Arcata Fire Protection District. Search records for years 2016, 2017 and 2019. It will knock your socks off. State employees have had a 10% reduction in their salaries. Why not the Arcata Fire Department?

Make no mistake about it, Measure F is about higher property taxes that will last for years. If you are rural residential, remember your fee will be $192! Seniors in mobile home parks — $90. Everyone talks about affordable housing. With AFD continually proposing tax assessments, home ownership will be unaffordable for the majority of local residents. Please, all tenants, seniors and homeowners, affordable housing begins with a NO vote on Measure F.