IFPD requests property tax advance

Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) was on the Aug. 27 Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda for property tax advancement and a new dispatch contract.
The board approved the advance property tax payment of $400,000 to IFPD. This will help the district’s cash flow until winter. From July through the middle of December, the district’s cash flow is limited to ambulance collections because it receives no property tax or assessments during that period. IFPD will repay the advance from the December property tax distribution.
The fire district has requested an advance every year since 2011, ranging from $300,000 to $450,00. There has been a consistent yearly request of $400,000 since 2016.
The second item, which the board approved, was the new dispatch contract with the county fire department. IFPD has been contracting for Riverside County Dispatch and Communication Services from the county fire department since 2001. The county fire department provides all dispatch services for fire and rescue resources for emergency and routine operations for the district — this includes activities within IFPD’s jurisdiction in addition to external or mutual aid responses.
IFPD signed the Dispatch and Communication Service Agreement on June 12. Funds for the contract are in IFPD’s annual budget.
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. The estimated cost of the contract for FY 2019/20 is $74,843. IFPD budgeted $89,000 for FY 2019/20 — $14,000 more than the county is estimating. The actual cost will depend upon the actual number of emergency calls or dispatches sent to IFPD.
The most recent contract cost for FY 2018/19 was 13% less than FY 2017/18.