Public hearing for protest on fire district consolidation scheduled for March 17, 2026.

NOTICE OF PROTEST HEARINGThe Nevada Local Agency Formation Commission will be the Conducting Authority for the Consolidation of the Penn Valley Fire Protection District and Rough & Ready Fire Protection DistrictAn extension has been provided to accommodate for a sufficient mailing address that was overlooked in the original notice of protest hearing.Notice is hereby given under Government Code Section 57025 et seq. that the Nevada Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) will hold a public protest hearing to receive official protest submitted in writing by landowners and registered voters of the affected area regarding LAFCo's approval pertaining to the Resolutions of Application by the District Boards of Penn Valley Fire Protection District Resolution No. 2025-08, and Rough and Ready Fire Protection District Resolution No. 2025-05, requesting consolidation. The Commission's approval of the proposal is documented in LAFCO Resolution No. 26-01, and LAFCo Resolution No. 26-02. Detailed information regarding the consolidation can be found in the above resolutions, which are available on the Nevada Local Agency Formation Commission website: www.nevadacountyca.gov/907Penn Valley and Rough & Ready Fire Protection Districts are located within the County of Nevada, west of the City of Nevada City. The proposed consolidated boundaries range from the west line of Yuba County, south of the South Yuba River and north of McCourtney Road. The Penn Valley Fire District consists of 58,263 acres and the Rough and Ready Fire District consists of 5,690 acres.The consolidation is being proposed for the following reason: Penn Valley Fire Protection District with Rough & Ready Fire Protection District will benefit the inhabitants and properties of both districts by improving efficiency and effectiveness and the long-term sustainability of fire suppression, prevention, protection and emergency medical services within the affected area. The proposal provides for the Rough & Ready Fire Protection District's benefit assessment (for example: $252.54 per single family property) will be extended to the consolidated district and will replace the current Fire Suppression Assessment of $94.70 in the Penn Valley area. The Penn Valley Fire Protection District's Ambulance Service Special Tax of $136.94 (per single family property) shall be extended to the Rough & Ready Fire Protection District i.e., consolidated district. LAFCo is empowered by applicable law to extend such assessments and taxes, subject only to the registered voters and landowners right to protest the consolidation as provided in this protest proceeding.Written Protest should be submitted to:Nevada LAFCO950 Maidu AvenueP.O. Box 599002Nevada City, CA 95959-7902or emailed: lafco@nevadacountyca.govThe hearing will be held:Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.(or as soon thereafter as possible) Rough & Ready Fire Station 59 14506 Rough and Ready Highway Rough and Ready, California, 95975PLEASE NOTE: THE HEARING IS ONLY TO RECEIVE WRITTEN PROTESTS AND IT IS NOT PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MERITS OF THE CONSOLIDATION.Any owner of land within the territory, or any registered voter residing within the territory, may file a written protest against the proposal with the Executive Officer of the Commission at any time prior to the conclusion of the hearing by the commission on the proposal. Landowners and registered voters within 300 feet of the affected area have been notified by publication.All protests must include the following per Government Code Section 57051:-Indicate if Landowner or Registered Voter (if both apply, please submit separate protest filings) SignatureDate upon which he or she signs.Address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or written description sufficient to identify the location of the land or other designation sufficient to enable the place of residence to be readily ascertainedFor information regarding Fire Protection and Emergency Response Services, fees, assessments and how the consolidation affects your property - contact the Penn Valley FPD Chief, or the Duty Officer, at (530) 432-2630 or you may email Chief Wagner - dwagner@pennvalleyfire.comFor information regarding the procedures and policy of the consolidation process, you may contact either Deborah Gilcrest or Bud Rice at (530) 265-7180, or email - lafco@nevadacountyca.orgPublished: February 19, 2026