Town Hall Meeting Wednesday March 22nd

It should come as no surprise that Valley Center is growing quickly. This is not the one light town it once was, we have a McDonalds now after-all.

In the span of 10 years, Valley Center has grown from a population of just under 9,000 to over 23,000. With the population increase also comes increased demand for emergency services. The demand for emergency services in Valley Center has consistently increased at least 7% every year over the same period of time. With the increased call volume, the Valley Center Fire Protection District (VCFPD) has remained committed to the citizens and visitors of Valley Center through continuous improvement. One such improvement includes the reclassification of VCFPD to an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 2 fire department which will help residents obtain or better afford home insurance.

Currently, the VCFPD receives 2% of the 1% property taxes apportionment which equates to $600,000 of the $30 million paid annually to the County of San Diego in property taxes. After the apportionment is distributed, there is still 19% that goes directly into the general fund for San Diego County's $7.9 billion dollar budget. This outdated allotment by the County of San Diego limits recruitment and retention of the VCFPD and slows down the process of building the much-needed fire station on Cole Grade. Your Valley Center Fire Protection District and Valley Center Firefighters Association (VCFFA) want to keep local Valley Center tax dollars in Valley Center! The VCFPD, the VCFFA, and other supporters are working to persuade the San Diego County Board of Supervisors of the necessary change needed to improve fire protection services for Valley Center and support the request of increasing their allotment from 2% to 6%. Our goals with this increase are to provide better emergency services with the addition of a third fire station, updated emergency equipment, and to protect our firefighters with a living wage while they protect the Valley Center community.

Please join us for a Town Hall Meeting on March 22nd at the Valley Center High School Maxine Theater beginning at 6 pm.