Arcata Fire is a is a single-purpose special district, independent from the County of Humboldt and the City of Arcata; governed by a board of directors who are elected directly by the voters. As a special district, funding can only be received through very specific mechanism.

Presently, the District is funded from four primary sources:

• 50% from the ad valorem (property tax) 

• 40% from the District's voter-approved initiatives

  • 1997 special tax and

  • 2006 benefit assessment

• 8% from other government funds 

• 2% from charges for services

More detailed information on special districts, such as how they operate and receive funding, is available here: Special Districts