Budget Cuts Could Eliminate Fire Station’s Only Engine

As cities across California pinch pennies to balance their budgets, the City of Indio finds itself with a much task of having to close a $6 million budget gap.

City Manager Dan Martinez asked each department head to propose ways to cut 12 percent of their costs.

Indio Police Chief Brad Ramos’ plan would eliminate six officers, and that’s something he said he doesn’t want to do.

Fire Chief Mike Marlow said he would have to do away with the only fire engine at the city’s north fire station.

“Optimal response time is 3-to-4 minutes,” said Michael Cohen, a retired firefighter and a member of the city’s Citizen Finance Advisory Commission. “If they get rid of the fire truck, it’ will be more like 11-to-13 minutes or longer.”

On top of the response times, Cohen and thousands of others who live in north Indio gated and planned communities pay an extra $400 per year on top of their property taxes. The tax is called a Mello Roos tax.

“If a paramedic is needed, and the stations paramedic is gone, the response time grows,” Cohen said. “After 6 minutes you’re brain dead.”

The Mello Roos tax money is supposed to provide fire, medical and police services for new communities.

Under the proposal, residents would continue paying the tax, but they would not get the services.

“If you own a home in the area, get your valuables and get out,” Cohen warned. “It’s going to burn to the ground.”

Council member Michael Wilson lives in north Indio and said he opposes the cuts to police and fire.

“For a big part of the north Indio community, it is an age-restricted community,” he said. “They look at that fire station and truck as their only life line of services.”

The budget proposals will likely change before they are voted on by the city council. Other cuts are expected in public works, administration, human services and other departments.

The next budget meeting is planned for June 1. City council members must pass a balanced budget by July 1.