Lathrop Manteca Fire District does more than just effectively fight fires and handle everything from medical emergencies to vehicle collisions.

The district that serves the City of Lathrop and 90 square miles overall has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for the quality of its budget presentation.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is based on how well a government entity’s budget serves as

*a policy document.

*a financial plan.

*an operations guide.

*a communication device.

As such that means award recipients, that also must meet 14 other mandatory criteria, provide the communities and taxpayers they serve with a budget process that is transparent and effectively communicates how funds are being spent.

There were 1,561 national winners including 26 fire districts.

Lathrop Manteca was the only fire district in San Joaquin County to receive the honor and one of only five government entities within the county that included the City of Manteca.

“I would definitely say it is a team effort of the entire fire district team,’ noted Division Chief Larry Madoski who is retiring at the end of March after a fire service career of 28 years.

The district has made significant strides financially in recent years thanks to not just to district leadership but a close collaboration with the City of Lathrop.

Measure C was passed by City of Lathrop voters in 2012. Forty percent of the one cent sales tax receipts go to provide firefighting services to city residents.

Two of the non-city fire stations within the district that serve rural areas south and east of Manteca are funded 100 percent by parcel taxes.

The budget discipline credited to Fire Chief David A Bramell’s leadership along with a strong partnership with the City of Lathrop has led to a significant turnaround for the fire district.

An audit in 2020 should the district had a deficit of $17.8 million.

Based on 16,000 parcels, that translated into a deficit of $1,112 per parcel if the district had closed its doors.

The most recent audit in 2025 showed a net positive position of $1.3 million.

 The negative deficit was eliminated using what Madoski noted were “the same strong financial management that was used in our budgeting practices and presentation.”

The fire district has 42 frontline fire personnel.

Quick notations about the effectiveness of the fire district:

*Firefighters responded to more than 4,500 calls for emergencies in 2025.

*Engine companies responding to — and combating — fires in 2024 saved over $14 million in property from fire loss, or the equivalent of more than half of the district’s operating budget.

*Firefighters in 2023 saved 11 lives from cardiac arrest among the 29 such calls they responded to.

*In 2023, the district increased its Insurance Services Office rating to Class 2 from Class 3. The ratings, used by insurance firms to establish premiums, saved residents/businesses in the Lathrop Manteca district on their insurance costs

*Received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the California Special District Leadership Foundation in 2021

*The district staffs all five fire stations with career professional firefighters every day.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com