Funding

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 property taxes collected are allocated to fire protection by Sonona County.  Of this allocation from propery tax funds, only 40% was actually returned to the local fire departments prior to district formation.  With the creation of the NSCFPD, more of the property tax allocation for fire protection comes back to the district, but roughly 47% of the funds are still lost to ERAF.

The tax revenues allocated for the benefit of fire services in the district are used to provide the following:

1. An annual contract with CAL FIRE provides not less than two officers on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis and provides the staffing of the fire equipment located at the South Station. This contract also provides for the maintenance of all fire equipment located at all of the district stations. Additionally, CAL FIRE is also responsible for providing training to the volunteer fire fighters.
2. The acquisition of all fire and emergency services engines, rescue vehicles and other support vehicles.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. General operational expenses for the fire department.

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:

1. Maintenance and operation of the North Fire Station.
2. The purchase of specialized fire or emergency response equipment and supplies