Sebastopol voters decided this issue in November. Diana is now in the driver's seat. Stephen, Neysa (and maybe even Sandra) will follow her lead when the time comes. Posturing aside, Diana has been promoting the consolidation effort, and nothing is going to deter her from that course.
I do hope to be proven wrong about this, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
Thank you for the coverage of this important subject. I hope you will continue to keep us informed.
Not only do the city Council and city residents need to learn more about the specific types of support the Sebastopol Fire Department needs, but there are the related issues of maintaining control of decision making and managing costs economically and equitably - for people and property owners within the city limits and within the existing Gold Ridge service area.
One concern I have is that city residents could be saddled with paying twice – paying the parcel taxes imposed by the Gold Ridge district without the benefit of getting to vote to approve this sizable long-term (or is it unending?) parcel tax, on top of whatever additional taxes may be required to maintain and upgrade Sebastopol‘s existing fire station and equipment. Would or could they (City station and equipment)be transferred to the Gold Ridge district, so there is not duplication of management or administrationstructures? There is still much to learn, but at first blush this seems unwieldy.
Gold Ridge voters approved a hefty new parcel tax just a few years ago. How do we know that the amount of that Gold Ridge parcel tax is suitable for providing adequate service within city limits, not too much and not too little?
I’m glad people are interested in asking good questions and learning more before making major changes or new commitments.
What sort of decision making input, let alone control, would the City Council or voters in the city have with the Gold Ridge district? The Gold Ridge board is not representative, at least currently, of people and property owners within the city limits. 
Also, in any discussion of consolidation, it would seem wise to explore the option of joining the Sonoma County fire district, which has more experience in providing fire protection in cities and towns (as well as more rural and agricultural areas), and greater breath and depth of ranks and expertise.
Finally, another question comes to mind. Does the city need to pay outside consultants to study these issues? Doesn’t this type of change of district boundaries or service areas require going to the Sonoma County local agency formation commission (LAFCO)? If so, isn’t that part of the function of LAFCO, to do the feasibility studies and cost analysis?
Sebastopol voters decided this issue in November. Diana is now in the driver's seat. Stephen, Neysa (and maybe even Sandra) will follow her lead when the time comes. Posturing aside, Diana has been promoting the consolidation effort, and nothing is going to deter her from that course.
I do hope to be proven wrong about this, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
Thank you for the coverage of this important subject. I hope you will continue to keep us informed.
Not only do the city Council and city residents need to learn more about the specific types of support the Sebastopol Fire Department needs, but there are the related issues of maintaining control of decision making and managing costs economically and equitably - for people and property owners within the city limits and within the existing Gold Ridge service area.
One concern I have is that city residents could be saddled with paying twice – paying the parcel taxes imposed by the Gold Ridge district without the benefit of getting to vote to approve this sizable long-term (or is it unending?) parcel tax, on top of whatever additional taxes may be required to maintain and upgrade Sebastopol‘s existing fire station and equipment. Would or could they (City station and equipment)be transferred to the Gold Ridge district, so there is not duplication of management or administrationstructures? There is still much to learn, but at first blush this seems unwieldy.
Gold Ridge voters approved a hefty new parcel tax just a few years ago. How do we know that the amount of that Gold Ridge parcel tax is suitable for providing adequate service within city limits, not too much and not too little?
I’m glad people are interested in asking good questions and learning more before making major changes or new commitments.
What sort of decision making input, let alone control, would the City Council or voters in the city have with the Gold Ridge district? The Gold Ridge board is not representative, at least currently, of people and property owners within the city limits. 
Also, in any discussion of consolidation, it would seem wise to explore the option of joining the Sonoma County fire district, which has more experience in providing fire protection in cities and towns (as well as more rural and agricultural areas), and greater breath and depth of ranks and expertise.
Finally, another question comes to mind. Does the city need to pay outside consultants to study these issues? Doesn’t this type of change of district boundaries or service areas require going to the Sonoma County local agency formation commission (LAFCO)? If so, isn’t that part of the function of LAFCO, to do the feasibility studies and cost analysis?