Finacial Considerations

A new District fire station will not only fit the needs of the community in the present but also support the future growth of Scotts Valley.

• • Projected Cost:

    • A new seismically safe fire station and administrative support building is projected to cost approximately $24.5 million. 

  • Budget History:

    • Limited funding has prioritized immediate emergency needs, delaying necessary station updates.

    • In 2002, the district purchased the 6000 La Madrona Drive lot for future station construction.

  • Cost-Effectiveness:

    • Studies found upgrading the current station would cost nearly $5 million just for seismic retrofitting, without addressing other code and spatial issues.

    • Building a new station is the most cost-effective long-term solution for the community.

  • Facilities Study conducted in 2018 by Group 4 Architecture Research & Planning findings:

    • In a major seismic event (earthquake), the Erba Lane fire station would be dangerous for staff and likely unusable for serving the community. Even though the station has been updated over the years, it still doesn’t meet current safety standards.

• Full seismic evaluation conducted in 2022 by a Civil and Structural Engineering Group findings: 

• • The current fire station building is at risk of serious damage in an earthquake because it was designed before modern earthquake engineering standards were developed. 

  • The building relies on outdated masonry and wood structures that can’t handle strong seismic forces, which could lead to the roof collapsing. This would not only be dangerous but also costly. 

  • If an earthquake were to occur, the building would likely be too damaged to function, affecting the fire station’s ability to serve the community promptly.

Community Benefits

The proposed new fire station aims to secure a safer, more efficient fire protection system for the entire Scotts Valley community, now and in the future.

• Improved Safety:

  • The new fire station will be built to essential building standards and structurally sound during disasters, ensuring continued fire and EMS service.

  • It eliminates the risk of structural failure and associated hazards at the current Erba Lane station.

• Enhanced Response Times:

  • Strategic relocation improves response times and reduces overlap in service areas. Relocating the fire department to La Madrona will cut South End response times by 5 minutes.

  • This helps maintain the district’s high Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of 2, which benefits community insurance rates.

• Disaster Preparedness:

  • The new administrative support building will also serve as a disaster crisis headquarters, critical for incident assessment and resource deployment during large-scale emergencies.

• Future Growth:

  • With California State housing requirements mandating 1,220 new homes by 2031, the new station ensures the fire district can meet increased service demands.

  • The new facility will support the district’s mission to protect lives, property, and the environment as Scotts Valley continues to grow.

 Frequently Asked Questions 

Why does the Fire District need a new fire station?

The current fire station is unsafe and could fail during a disaster, putting staff and community at risk. Studies in 2018 and 2022 found the building at the end of its useful lifespan and unsafe in an earthquake.

What is the Fire Safety Bond Measure?

The bond measure asks voters to approve $24.5 million to design and build a new fire station, relocating the Fire District’s Headquarters from Erba Lane to La Madrona Drive, near the Hilton Hotel.

What is Bonding?

Bonding, or “governmental obligation bonds,” is a way for a municipality to borrow money for capital projects. The bonds are sold, and the proceeds fund the architecture, design, site work, and construction of the new fire station.

How much will it cost a homeowner in the District?

The bond measure will cost between $17 per $100,000 of assessed property value – which will cost the average tax payer $109 per year.

Where will this new station be built?

The new fire station will be built on vacant land at 6000 La Madrona Drive, near the Hilton Hotel and south of the shopping plaza.

Does the District own the land?

Yes, the District owns the land where the new station will be built. It was purchased in 2002 for this purpose.

What has the District done to plan for this new station?

• 2002: Purchased land on La Madrona Drive.

• 2006: Ran a ballot measure to build a new station, which did not pass.

• 2018: Conducted a facility study.

• 2022: Conducted a seismic study.

• Both studies confirmed the Erba Lane site is not safe and is at the end of its useful life.

• 2023: Measure W was overwhelming supported by the residents. It received 66.42% of the votes, but didn’t make the 66.67% passing – it fell short by 12 votes!

What will happen to the Erba Lane Facility?

The Erba Lane Station will be closed and all the staff and apparatus will be moved to the new fire station. The building will be sold and the proceeds from the sale will be used for the new fire station.

Could the existing facility be repaired or remodeled?

Repairing or remodeling the current facility is not a good use of taxpayer dollars due to high costs and its poor location for emergency response. The Erba Lane site also cannot accommodate training or a disaster command center.

What will happen if a new station is not built?

Firefighters and staff will continue working in an unsafe building that could fail in a disaster, leading to less effective emergency response and service.

Will the Fire District now have three fire stations?

No, the Fire District will only have two stations. The equipment and personnel from Erba Lane will be relocated to the new fire station.

Will this measure improve fire service?

Yes, relocating to La Madrona will reduce response area overlap and place the station closer to busier areas of the District. The new facility will also have space for a crisis center, essential for large-scale disasters.

What services do I get for my current tax dollars?

The Scotts Valley Fire District provides emergency and non-emergency responses, including medical emergencies, wildfires, and hazardous materials incidents. All primary response apparatus are staffed with paramedics.

Why can’t the District pay for the station out of its current budget?

The District is using over $1 million in reserve funds, and the proceeds from the sale of the Erba Lane Station lessen the cost to the taxpayer. Unfortunately, there is not enough money to fund a bond of this size from our existing revenue. The current budget is focused on emergency response services, wages, equipment, and apparatus. Rising costs have constrained the District’s ability to save for a new station. 

Why doesn’t the City of Scotts Valley build the Station?

The Scotts Valley Fire District is a Special District, independent of the City of Scotts Valley, providing services to residents inside and outside the city limits, funded by property tax money from these residents.

Why is the requested dollar amount for the current ballot measure less per person than the previous ballot measure effort, even though the total amount is higher?

The reduction from $27.50 to $17 per $100,000 bond measure cost is a result of more accurate recalculations, stabilized interest rates, improved cost estimates and efficient planning, and the addition of the Branciforte Community. This ensures we can request a higher total amount while reducing the financial burden on each individual.