Article by Malia Dietz
The Big Bear Fire Authority (BBFA) Board voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor to pass Resolutions No BBFA2019-008 and BBFA2019-009, which establish the Big Bear Fire Authority Community Facilities District (CFD) and calls for a special election to the residents within the CFD to vote on an annual levy of taxes to increase funding for the BBFA Fire Suppression and Emergency Services. CFD residents include Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Baldwin Lake, Erwin Lake and Lake Williams. Fawnskin is not included and is not part of the current BBFA Fire Suppression and Emergency Services area.This vote enables counsel for the BBFA to submit applications to San Bernardino County to create a measure for the voters on the March 3, 2020 California Primary Ballot. The official measure title and definition will be available at the beginning of December.Residents in attendance at the regular BBFA Board Meeting at BBL Station #281 were given the opportunity to speak on this matter and opinions on both sides were heard. Dawn Marschinke, Board Secretary, reported that 13 official protests from registered votes in the valley have been received.This proposed tax will collect $0.06 cents per sq. ft. of a residential dwelling and also ensures that all businesses, vacation rentals, and the ski resorts pay their fair share as well.