Fire board Approves $150 Fee for Rural Properties

The Associated Press
Posted: 11/09/2011 05:56:05 PM PST

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A California firefighting board has approved raising an annual wildfire fee for rural structures to $150.

The state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection voted Wednesday to impose the higher fee sought by Gov. Jerry Brown. It will apply to about 850,000 properties where the state provides wildfire prevention and protection.

The board approved a $90 fee in August that contained up to $65 in credits. Lawmakers later rejected Brown’s proposal to raise it.

He subsequently appointed four new members to the nine-member fire board, all fellow Democrats. Wednesday’s fee passed on a 6-2 vote.

About 94 percent of those subject to the fee will receive a $35 discount for being in a fire district.

Brown hopes to raise $50 million from the fee this fiscal year.

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