Based on the state's determination, Grass Valley's new Fire Tax, Measure B, will take effect October first. The three-eighths-of-a-percent sales tax increase was approved by voters during the March Primary elections. The city will receive approximately 75-percent of the estimated annual revenue, or about two-million dollars, for the rest of the fiscal year, or through June 30th. The City Council passed an expenditure plan at their recent meeting. City Manager Tim Kiser reiterated that it'll be split 50-50 between resiliency and vegetation mitigation. He said resiliency includes moving closer to the national standard, by increasing from two to three firefighters per engine. Also, implementing a vegetation management and inspection program, with the goal to cover all parcels by the end of the year…
Chris Gilbert is a physician, author, speaker, and writer based in Nevada County, California. With a focus on local news and issues, Chris writes for Knco and his work has also been featured in publications such as Psychology Today, Monthly Review, Sight Magazine, Scripps News, CounterPunch, and International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT).