Blue Lake voters reject parcel tax for fire, medical services

BLUE LAKE – A proposal to increase parcel taxes to support the Blue Lake Fire Protection District has failed.
214 voters or about 51% supported Measure Y. That falls short of the 2/3 majority it needed to replace an existing tax with fees ranging from $75 to $400 depending on the type of parcel.
Tuesday’s vote was the district’s second attempt at increasing the tax. A previous measure put before property owners was turned back.
Now the district board will have to find alternate solutions to fund maintenance and replacement engines as well as the increased shortfalls expected when a service agreement with Blue Lake Rancheria expires in 2019.