authority to tax

The Belmont Fire Protection District does not have the authority to tax the Belmont residents themselves.  They are given a budget by the city and the county and they receive that tax revenue.  Tomorrow if they needed money, they cannot go down to city hall and call for a new tax.  They would have to work with the city council and take into consideration the city’s budget.  The BFPD does have to work with Local 2400 and city council to work out the kinks of their budget.  They are in debt because the state has given them a new engine after the split with San Carlos.  The BFPD is now in debt to the state and they have to come up with a process to keep the district running in the capacity that it currently is and pay back the money for the engine to the state.  Likely, the money will come from the pocket of the Belmont citizens.