If unofficial election results hold, Eastern Plumas County will have a brand-new fire district following overwhelming voter approval Nov. 7 of the Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District.
The Plumas County Elections Office reported that Measure E, which would form the new district, passed by 499 “yes” votes to 149 “no” votes according to the unofficial count. That easily meets the two-thirds approval required for passage. A second measure to levy a special property tax of $110 per parcel also passed 463 votes to 186.
The apparent success of the combination of voter-approved measures would create a “Stronger Together” department, the motto its organizers have used during a four-month campaign to approve the Beckwourth Peak district. It would provide fire protection and emergency services to the areas currently served by the Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Sierra Valley Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District and the City of Portola. It would also expand boundaries to include those currently outside of an assigned fire district.
Chester Fire Department results
A special $350 per-parcel special tax designed to help fund the financially troubled Chester Fire Department fell far short of the two-thirds voter approval required, according to the unofficial election count. Measure D received 163 “yes” votes to 300 “no” votes, failing to receive even a simple majority.
The directors of the Chester Public Utilities Commission placed the measure on the Nov. 7 ballot hoping to generate approximately $525,000 annually to reduce a $1.2 million deficit, said Adam Cox, Chester PUD’s general manager.
Three candidates vie for Meadow Valley Fire board
In Meadow Valley, voters turned out to participate in the first-ever election for commissioners to serve on the Meadow Valley Fire Protection District board. Three candidates are vying for two vacant seats.
Keri Cameron received 114 votes. David M Brown received 85 votes. Close behind was Robert Gimbel with 71 votes. Five votes were cast for write-in candidates.
Final results expected Nov 22
Officials in the Plumas County Elections Office emphasized that these results are unofficial and could easily change once mail-in ballots have been counted. They will announce final results Nov. 22. The Plumas County Board of Supervisors must then certify those results at a meeting expected to be scheduled for Dec. 5.
