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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Order the Auditor-Controller to disburse $600,000 from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District ("District") Impact Mitigation Fee account to the District for a ladder truck to be placed at Station 28 in Shingle Springs; and
2) Conceptually approve the use of development impact mitigation fees for the expansion of Fire Station no.17 in Pollock Pines, in the amount of $600,000 as part of a new project to expand the District's capabilities to serve new development that has occurred within the District.
FUNDING: Development Impact Mitigation Fees.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Mitigation Fee Act (Cal. Gov. §66000 et seq.) provides for the establishment of fees to mitigate the impacts of new development on public facilities in order to maintain the established level of service. Individual Special Districts do not have the authority to establish these fees; as a result, the County establishes fees on behalf of the districts. In accordance with the Mitigation Fee Act, these revenues are segregated and deposited into a separate account for each district.
Development impact mitigation fees were first collected on the District's behalf in 1985. The District's fee was last updated in 2021 (File No. 21-0958). In accordance with the Mitigation Fee Act, these revenues are segregated and deposited into a separate account for each district. As outlined in the District’s 2021 nexus study, revenue from fees collected on new residential and commercial development may be used to pay for the development of new equipment and facilities that expand service capacity resulting from growth caused by new development.
As a result of new development that has occurred within the District, the District is requesting disbursement of funds in the amount of $600,000 for the purchase of a new 105-foot ladder truck to be placed at Station 28, 3860 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs, CA 95682. This amount represents approximately 50% of the $1,200,000 total amount needed to purchase the equipment. The district has experienced commercial growth, with several hotel and apartment complexes currently under development. The ladder truck will add new service capabilities to serve the ongoing commercial development within the business park in Shingle Springs, south of Highway 50, and the significant development underway at the Red Hawk Casino. Currently, the response for a ladder truck to this area would be from the Placerville station, or mutual aid from Diamond Springs or El Dorado Hills. The equipment adds new service capabilities to the District, which are needed in order to expand services based on the demand created by new development.
The District has also identified the need to increase services by expanding Station 17, located at 6430 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines to include accommodations for 24/7 staffing including living spaces and accommodations. The District's request is to fund up to $600,000 in costs associated with this remodel. The District is currently in the planning phase and has contracted with a construction manager for bid and construction documents, however, no services have yet been submitted for payment, and thus there is no reimbursement included in this initial request. If approved by the Board, the District will proceed with plans for construction and will request reimbursement for costs associated with this project. The District's request for the full project is attached (Attachment A).
The County and District have entered into an agreement dated December 19, 2017, whereby the District agrees to "hold County harmless and defend County and its employees, officers, and agents from any claim, liability, or action" resulting from the County’s calculation, imposition, and collection of impact fees on the District’s behalf (File No. 17-1290).
The Chief Administrative Office recommends the disbursement of funds for the above-described use because it is consistent with the purpose for which the fee was collected, the District and County are currently in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act, and the indemnity agreement between the District and the County sufficiently protects the County from potential liability related to the disbursement.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
El Dorado County Fire Protection District
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the County’s budget. Impact mitigation fees are collected by the County on behalf of the District and held in a separate account. The revenues may only be used by the District for purposes that comply with the Mitigation Fee Act.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
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STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jennifer Franich, Principal Management Analyst