Will this reorganization result in a reduction in fire services or the closure of any fire stations?

The reorganization will not result in a reduction of fire services. In the South Santa Clara County Fire District, fire service will still be provided from the current Treehaven and Masten fire stations. The exact location for the new northern district station is still being finalized. To ensure uninterrupted coverage, Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (County Fire) will procure or construct temporary facilities until permanent facilities are made available. This commitment ensures service levels and response times will not suffer during or after the transition. Additionally, County Fire works closely with neighboring fire departments including Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Jose, and CAL FIRE to maintain mutual aid agreements to help each other during emergencies. County Fire will continue to work with our partners to make sure south county community members receive a rapid response to their 9-1-1 calls, with a paramedic on every fire engine.

If County Fire’s wages are higher than CAL FIRE’s, how can South County afford the cost without raising taxes or relying on subsidies?

While County Fire does have a different compensation model than CAL FIRE (local opposed to state wages), the reorganization will streamline fire response activities and address longstanding structural challenges with maintaining an adequate level of fire protection in the South County, including addressing South County Fire District’s structural operating deficit.

As stated by County Executive James R. Williams, “Property taxes cannot be moved from one area of the county to another. That’s not allowed under AB8 or Prop 13.

As a CFAI Accredited Fire Agency, County Fire makes data informed decisions factoring capacity and risk as part of how deployment models are tailored throughout its complex diverse response service area with the goal to continually improve or enhance service delivery in the all-risk, all-hazards mission of the organization. Further, in contrast to the rising costs in the current CAL FIRE contract—which increased more than 30% in a single year—County Fire offers long-term financial stability, local accountability, and a regional model that leverages administrative overhead costs throughout the current 232 square miles of responsibility within the jurisdictions served.

Will South County lose local oversight because of this change?

No. South County Fire District reports to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, just as Santa Clara County Fire does. The Board of Supervisors will continue to provide local oversight with a focus on equitable services throughout the county. While the Board of Commissioners of the South County Fire District will no longer exist upon annexation of the District, County Fire will engage a transitional advisory group, including existing and former commissioners, to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Why did I receive a letter about the creation of Zone 4? Will Santa Clara County Fire Department raise my taxes or impose new fees?

South County residents will not see any changes to their property taxes because of the fire district reorganization. The creation of Service Zone 4 is required for County Fire to maintain an existing development fee that helps pay for fire services in South County and to create a structure to make sure revenue from the fee is dedicated to South County. This fee, called a Fire Protection Mitigation Fee, was first put in place in 2005 by the South Santa Clara County Fire District. The fee is a one-time payment made by developers and homeowners who complete remodels or new constructions to help cover the cost of fire protection for new development in the area. Currently, the fee generates approximately $100,000 – $140,000 in revenue for the South Santa Clara County Fire District annually. The creation of Zone 4 simply allows County Fire to maintain this existing Fire Protection Mitigation Fee after the fire district reorganization.

The existing Fire Protection Mitigation Fee is reviewed every five years by the County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the South Santa Clara County Fire District Board of Directors, as part of a normal cycle of review. The next normally scheduled review of this fee is expected to happen in fall 2025, after the fire district reorganization. If there are any recommended changes to the fee, they will go through a separate public review process with the County Board of Supervisors, sitting as County Fire’s Board of Directors.

The letter about the creation of Zone 4 that was mailed in early April is required to provide notice of a public hearing scheduled as part of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meeting at the County Government Center located at 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose on April 22, 2025, no earlier than 10:00 a.m. The public hearing will provide an opportunity for people to share their thoughts about creating Service Zone 4.

How will this change impact fire and emergency services in my area?