Description of the District
The Fig Garden Police Protection District was formed in 1950. It was formed and is governed under the provision of Health and Safety Code Section 20000, et. seq. It is located in the Fig Garden area and is bounded by Palm Avenue on the west, Shaw Avenue on the north, Maroa Avenue on the east, and the Herndon Canal on the south, excluding there from an area bounded by Van Ness Boulevard on the west, Griffith Avenue on the north, Maroa on the east, and the Herndon Canal on the south.
The District is governed by a three-member Board of Directors elected by the voters of the District to four-year terms. The members serve the Board on a voluntary basis. Police protection is provided to unincorporated areas by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department.
The District encompasses approximately 440 acres. Its Sphere of Influence encompasses approximately 680 acres, as shown on the enclosed map.
District Services and Background
Police protection is provided to unincorporated areas by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. Enhanced protection is provided under contract with the Sheriff to homeowners inside the District boundaries. In essence, the beneficiaries in the District receive personalized, extended service by an individual patrol officer. In addition enhanced protection is provided by Fresno County Private Security.
Infrastructure is provided by the Fig Garden Fire Protection District, the Fresno County Sheriff, and the County of Fresno. The district currently holds its quarterly Board meetings in the Fig Garden Fire House (4537 N. Wishon).
Financial Ability of Agencies to Provide Services
Financing for the District is provided by an increment of the base Fresno County Ad Valorem property tax on each parcel in the district. This base tax is supplemented by an assessment on parcels within the District to provide enhanced law enforcement services. The supplemental assessments may be increased yearly with the cost of living.
The general fund is the District’s primary operating fund. It accounts for all financial resources of the general government, except those required to be accounted for in another fund. The accounting records of the District are maintained by the District and the Fresno County Auditor-Controller. Copies of these records are on file with the Auditor- Controller. The annual budget that establishes the total spending authority for the District is adopted prior to the District’s fiscal year.
The District utilizes the Fresno County Treasury as its depository for revenue transactions into separate and distinct funds, as well as for expenditure disbursement. The County maintains a cash and investment pool that is available for use by all funds. Interest revenues and corresponding interest receivable to the District are derived from the County Treasurer’s interest allocation process.
The District receives property tax revenues levied on property within the District’s service area. The District also receives additional monies from assessments for fees and services as legislated by Assembly Bill 549. The assessments are based on the benefit derived by each parcel within the District. The District also receives additional monies from assessments for fees and services as legislated by Assembly Bill 549. The assessments are based on the benefit derived by each parcel within the District.
The Fresno County Auditor-Controller is responsible for the collection and apportionment of property taxes for jurisdictions including special districts within the County. All jurisdictions within California derive their taxing authority from the State Constitution and various legislative provisions contained in the State Government Code and Revenue and Taxation Code.
Governmental Structure and Operational Efficiencies
The Fig Garden Police Protection District is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners. Each member must be a resident of the District area during the term of service on the board. The Board holds quarterly meetings and is subject to the Brown Act with meeting notices posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. The members, at their own expense, attend the annual dinner of the Fig Garden Homeowner’s Association and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department sends a management representative to the annual meeting of the Fig Garden Homeowner’s Association.