Frequently Asked Questions

The property assessment expires at the end of this Fiscal Year (June 30, 2024) unless property owners take action to reauthorize it.

By law, only fire protection and prevention services, including keeping fire stations open and providing up-to-date firefighting and lifesaving equipment and facilities, among other items, may be funded by the assessment.

The loss of assessment revenue beginning in FY 2024/25 (beginning July 1, 2024) would result in a drastic reduction of fire suppression capabilities and other emergency services within the City. In an independent engineer report, possible cuts in service levels within the Fire Department could include :

• Reduction in the number of firefighters, operating in Millbrae
• Reductions in the level of fire protection, fire suppression, and other emergency services provided to property within the City of Millbrae
• The potential closure of a Millbrae Fire Station

The only other option available to the City would be to remove funding from other basic city services such as public safety, emergency medical response, road repair, and addressing homelessness to pay for fire needs, impacting the quality-of-life Millbrae residents expect and deserve.

Yes. Recent feedback from property owners to date includes retaining a firm sunset date for any assessment reauthorization, including /requiring independent citizen oversight, mandatory financial audits, and yearly reports to the community to ensure funds are spent as promised, ensuring that larger property owners pay their fair share so that the burden of an assessment does not fall solely on homeowners, and ensuring condominiums and apartment complexes are treated equitably. This feedback is in addition to a survey of property owners in 2023 regarding fire and emergency services, where the following priorities were identified:

• Keeping firefighting/ lifesaving equipment/facilities up to date
• Maintaining rapid response times for fire protection and 9-1-1 emergency medical services by keeping all fire stations open
• Equipping firefighters to better respond to fires in Millbrae
• Maintaining the effectiveness of the Millbrae Fire Department's first response services
• Allowing the Fire Department to maintain services in Millbrae
• Maintaining 911 emergency response times

The City is considering placing a reauthorization with the above feedback in mind on a future Property Owner Assessment ballot later this year. 

We want to hear from you! Please contact Mike Sung at msung@ci.millbrae.ca.us or 650-259-2433 with any individual questions, or to schedule a presentation on the expiring Fire Assessment at your community’s next meeting.