The Felton Fire Board of Directors will consider a new chief. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file)

FELTON >> The Felton Fire Board of Directors on Monday will consider whether to rehire former Interim Fire Chief Issac Blum and weigh a temporary contract with Zayante Fire to help cover 911 calls.

In May, Ben Lomond Fire leaders cut short a two-year contract with Felton Fire to respond to calls and train new volunteers. The decision came after Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee, who was contracted as the Felton Fire chief, alleged a hostile work environment from Felton Fire board members. 

Board members denied the allegations. Felton Fire has had four fire chiefs since 2023.

At a separate meeting Wednesday, the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County will consider ordering a report on options for Felton Fire’s future — including possible annexation by another district. LAFCO oversees the boundaries and governance of cities and special districts such as water and fire districts. 

LAFCO cannot dictate how Felton Fire moves forward, but it would provide information and analysis, said LAFCO Executive Officer Joe Serrano.

Also at LAFCO’s June 4 meeting: 

• The board will receive an update on the possible transition of County Service Area 48 to a special district independent of the county. CSA 48 is served by Santa Cruz County Fire and includes much of the North Coast and other rural areas of the county. CalFire, LAFCO and Santa Cruz County officials have been developing a study of how the transition would affect emergency services. The study is expected to go to LAFCO and Santa Cruz County supervisors by the end of the year.
• The board will continue oversight of the proposed dissolution of Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District following years of money problems. Pajaro Valley Fire has requested annexation from CSA 48. LAFCO is set to consider the annexation in early 2026.

A proposed study to explore shared services or consolidation between Scotts Valley Fire, Central Fire and Santa Cruz Fire announced in April is now on hold. In May, the Central Fire board of directors voted down a formal agreement to jointly commission the study from a consultant. Representatives from LAFCO and each of the fire agencies are set to meet in June to discuss if the study will move forward.

Read more

• Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Central Fire explore merger — April 21, 2025
• Felton Fire loses chief, service contract with Ben Lomond — May 14, 2025