NOTICE OF PROTEST

HEARING REGARDING FORT BRAGG RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT REORGANZATION

In accordance with Sections 56660, 56153 and 56157(h) of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Reorganization Act of 2000, a 21-day notice is hereby given that the Local Agency Formation Commission of Mendocino County will hold a public hearing to be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from  10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Ukiah Conference Center, 200 School St. Ukiah, CA to receive protests from registered voters or landowners for LAFCO's September 12, 2011 approval of the Fort Bragg Rural Fire Protection District (FBRFPD) reorganization as requested by the District.

At a noticed public hearing on September 12, 2011, FBRFPD sought LAFCO's approval to detach an area of the District that overlaps the City of Fort Bragg's jurisdictional boundaries to include approximately 800 acres and 550 parcels. The parcels were both within the City of Fort Bragg's jurisdictional boundaries and also within the FBRFPD jurisdictional boundaries. The parcels are being served by the Fort Bragg Fire Department under the auspices of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of Fort Bragg and the FBRFPD. Because of the way fire services are provided under the JPA, no change in fire protection services received by the parcels included in the detachment proposals will occur if the LAFCO approval is finalized. The provision of service will continue as before. Historically, there has been some problems as to the allocation of the fire parcel tax between the two entities requiring substantial review to properly allocate the tax. The purpose of these detachments is to clarify the allocation of resources for fire protection for this area and to clarify the assignment of parcel taxes. Additionally, FBRFPD is seeking to detach approximately 62 acres and nine parcels on the southern end of the District's boundaries that overlap the Mendocino Fire Protection District's jurisdictional boundaries. These parcels are presently being served by Mendocino FPD and will continue to receive service from Mendocino FPD. The purpose of this detachment is to correct a longstanding error in the jurisdictional boundary description.

Written protests against a LAFCO decision of approval may be filed by owners of land within the detachment areas or by registered voters residing within the detachment areas. A map of the detachment areas may be viewed at the Fort Bragg Fire Station 141 N. Main St. Fort Bragg or at the LAFCO office, 200 S. School St. Ukiah. Protests may either be mailed to LAFCO of Mendocino County, 200 S. School St., Ukiah, CA 95482 or delivered to the LAFCO Executive Officer at the protest hearing. Each protest must state whether it is made by a landowner or a registered voter and must include the name and address of the protestor and a street address or parcel number identifying the location of the land.  A registered voter’s protest must show the name and address appearing on the affidavit of registration. Each written protest must be filed no later than the conclusion of the hearing to be considered valid. An individual may protest both as a landowner and as a registered voter; each protest will be counted separately according to the applicable rules. The effect of protests received will be determined within 30 days following the hearing in accordance with Govern­ment Code Section 57075.

A form is printed below for the guidance of anyone wishing to file a protest; it may be copied or filled in, detached, and returned to the LAFCO office or a copy may be obtained at www.mendolafco.org or by calling 707 463 4470.