Sonoma Fire Agencies Use Graton Casino's Gambling Profits To Build New Station
SONOMA COUNTY (CBS SF) -- Struggling Sonoma County fire agencies will begin to reap the profits from Rohnert Parks' Graton Resort and Casino in a new deal that will provide greater emergency services.
The deal was struck as part of a crime mitigation fee for the impact of the casino on neighboring communities. More than $8 million this year alone will be paid out as specified in an agreement the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria signed with the county in 2012.
The largest part of the deal will go toward building the first station near Graton which county officials say will increase emergency response time to the casino, which already averages about 1.2 calls a day.
In a separate deal, the casino will cover other fire costs in the county for things like staffing at all three of the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District stations, which have faced station closures for the last two years. A new fire engine and supplies will also be paid for by gambling profits.