The Ripon Consolidated Fire District posted a reminder to property owners that the deadline to cast ballots for Proposition 218 is Thursday, Aug. 8.

“This crucial vote will determine funding for our fire district and your participation is vital,” said RCFD via social media on Friday.

A ‘yes’ vote would help with staffing issues, including the unmanned Station 3 at 1705 N. Ripon Road as well as with recent woes with ambulance services.

Those who have yet to receive a ballot should contact RCFD office at 209.924.0977.

“We will promptly issue a replacement to ensure you can exercise your right to vote,” RCFD said.

Need to change your vote?

RCFD, for those who have already voted but wish to change it, will provide per request a replacement ballot.

“This will void your previous vote, allowing you to submit a new one,” added the local fire department (call 209.924.0977 to speak with Fire Chief Eric DeHart or board Clerk Kathy Sikma).

All ballots received should be returned as soon as possible to ensure the are counted.

Ballots can be mailed or dropped off at the Administration Office, 142 S Stockton Ave, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Flag Drop-Off Box at the office is not for ballots.

“Any ballots placed in this box may not be counted, as it is managed by the Boy Scouts of America and not checked by our office,” RCFD said.

In addition, the completed ballot can be delivered by person during the monthly board meeting on Thursday (Aug. 8) inside the training room at Station 1.

RCFD services residents and businesses within a 56-square-mile area of southern San Joaquin County, providing fire and ambulance.

Prop. 218 is necessary given that RCFD’s budget has deteriorated to the point that staffing is limited.

If approved, DeHart recently said that RCFD would enough support to fund an estimated six personnel.

 The rate hike, if approved by the majority of property owners, would set the assessment at an estimated:

*$250 a year ($21 a month) for single family homes up to 3,600 square feet.

*$264 a year ($22 a month) for single family homes between 3,601 and 4,526 square feet.

*$278 a year ($23) a month) for single families homes more than 4,526 square feet.

*$1,526 a year for multiple-unit housing with 5 to 10 units.

*$3,220 a year for multiple- unit housing with 21 to 40 units.

*$16,124 a year for multiple-unit housing with more than 100 units.

*$143 for all row crop and orchard agricultural parcels.

The parcel tax hike is tailored to generate funds needed to hire six firefighters to allow the opening of the River Road fire station with an engine company staffed 24/7.

It also will address salary and other issues that are making it difficult to compete for firefighter personnel with nearby jurisdictions.

The starting pay for firefighters in Ripon of $21.23 has led to Ripon Fire being consistently short staffed.

 The district that serves 22,000 residents that live primarily within the City of Ripon, also is lagging in volunteer and reserve firefighters due to time commitments and work schedules.

The department handled 2,000 plus calls in 2023. Of those, about 25 percent occurs at or new the same time.

Again, with one engine it requires the availability of a distant fire engine from a nearby jurisdiction for a timely response.

The lack of a second manned engine at the River Road Fire station that was built in response to City of Ripon’s growth has resulted in response times in 2023 being three minutes longer than they were in 2016.

The  current property tax rate was set in 1985.

Efforts to increase it in 2007 and 2018 failed.