Fire Protection Fee

Big Bear Lake, CA, October 19, 2012, 4pm – This month more than 62,000 San Bernardino County homeowners will receive a bill from the State of California demanding a $150 Fire Protection “Fee”. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has opposed the State’s imposition of the “fee”. The State created the tax last year and imposed it on “state responsibility areas”, defined as areas where the State is primarily responsible for fire services. In San Bernardino County, these areas include the mountain communities. In opposing this tax, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors pointed out that property owners in these areas already pay an assessment for fire protection and prevention services, making the new State tax “double taxation” without any additional benefit. The Board of Supervisors authorized County attorneys to explore the possibility of legal action against the state to protect residents against the tax. Prior to receiving the bill from the State, those who will be charged should also receive a pre-billing notice and an informational brochure from the state. The brochure advises taxpayers that they will have 30 days to either pay the tax or protest the amount of the bill in writing. Questions are referred to a toll-free phone number, 888-310-6447.