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County Counsel and Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Authorize the Interim Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to execute the letter agreement with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (Tribe) memorializing the Tribe and County's agreement that the County will continue to provide and the Tribe will continue to pay for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) under the terms set forth in the agreement between the Tribe and the County that expired June 30, 2013; and
2) Authorize the Interim Director of the Health and Human Services Agency and County Counsel to continue negotiations on an intergovernmental agreement with the Tribe to mitigate both on and off-site impacts to the County EMS system resulting from the presence of the Redhawk Casino in El Dorado County.
FUNDING: Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is currently required to reimburse the County for emergency responses services totaling $47,860.56 per month. This revenue is budgeted and does not result in any changes to Net County Cost.
Background
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is the beneficiary of trust land entitled the Shingle Springs Rancheria which is located within the geographical boundaries of EL Dorado County. Pursuant to the Amendment to The Tribal-State Gaming Compact Between the State of California and The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Section 10.8.7(a)(ii), dated June 30, 2008, the Tribe desired the County to provide prehospital Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services on tribal land when gaming operations commenced, and the Tribe desired to contribute funding to the County to assist in defraying the increased costs and expenses of providing such prehospital ALS emergency medical services. Additionally, the Funding Agreement required the Tribe to contribute 50% of the cost of a new medic unit up to but not to exceed the amount of $75,000. The unit is vested wholly in the County and/or its authorized JPA contractor, El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority. Agreement 794-PHD0808 between the County and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians was developed and presented to the Board by County Counsel, and approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 26, 2008 for a term to expire on June 30, 2013. The Agreement specifies that the County, under the public utility model, provides prehospital ALS emergency medical services to the residents of the County, specifically in the County Service Area No 7 (CSA 7) and the areas surrounding the Rancheria (trust land owned by the United States entitled the Shingle Springs Rancheria).
Reason for Recommendation
Approval and authorization of this letter agreement will authorize the County to continue providing services to the Tribe and require the Tribe to reimburse the County for these services until a new agreement can be negotiated or until the Tribe identifies an alternative for ambulance/emergency response services.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
The Interim Director will execute the letter agreement and work with County Counsel to continue negotiations.
Contact
Ed Knapp, County Counsel
Don Ashton, Interim Director, HHSA