Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve a request from North Tahoe and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts for funding in the amount of $42,000 to facilitate the legal unification of the two districts, finding that such funding will result in a public benefit;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer reducing General Fund Contingency by $42,000 and increasing appropriations in the General Fund (Department 15) by $42,000 (4/5 vote required); and
3) Authorize the CAO to execute a funding agreement for the disbursement of the funding, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: General Fund Contingency.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Meeks Bay Fire Protection District is located on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, within El Dorado County. The District borders the North Tahoe Fire Protection District at the Placer County line in Tahoma. The two districts have been functionally consolidated through a shared services agreement since 2014. On December 8, 2021, The Meeks Bay Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a resolution regarding the formal reorganization of Meeks Bay Fire Protection District into the North Tahoe Fire Protection District. On December 7, 2021, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Board of Directors also voted to approve a resolution regarding the formal reorganization of the Districts.
The reorganization will be processed by the Placer Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and costs are estimated at $42,000. The Districts have already incurred costs in the course of studying the potential reorganization and have requested assistance with the LAFCO costs. The detailed request is attached for reference. The CAO recommends granting the request, as it is consistent with the County's Strategic Plan Public Safety Goal to "Support Fire District reorganization and consolidation when requested." The Districts have demonstrated an effective and efficient working relationship and have committed to pursuing a formal merger.
The request would be funded from General Fund Contingency. This expenditure would not bring the account below the minimum of 3% of adjusted General Fund appropriations established by Board policy.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could deny the request and the Districts would have to cover the costs.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The CAO will obtain approval of the funding agreement from County Counsel and Risk Management.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
General Fund Contingency would be reduced by $42,000, leaving a balance of $19,607,415, which is approximately 9.8% of adjusted General Fund appropriations for the FY 2021-22 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Chair's signature on the budget transfer and return to the CAO for processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety and Good Governance
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Deputy CAO