Title
Supervisor Santiago recommending the Board direct the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a contract with the Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department through the Fallen Leaf Lake Community Services District to provide equity funding pursuant to the June 7, 2010 agreement between the Board of Supervisors and the Standing Fire Committee in the amount of $38,690 for two years. (Refer 4/26/11, Item 28)(Est. Time: 20 Min.)
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In the attached letter (D) provided by Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Chief Gary Gerren, it is stated that that the fire department is heavily dependent upon the the county funding that was designated for upgrades in communications and equipment, which the current fire department budget cannot support by parcel fee alone. Pursuant to the 2010 board agreement, supported by the fire chiefs, and the expectations of the designated small fire departments and districts, and due to the critical need for communications upgrades not afforded in Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department budget, it would be appropriate to direct the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a contract with the Fallen Leaf Lake Community Services District to fund the fire department $38,690 for two years in order to balance their budget and make necessary fire equipment upgrades.
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$38,690 |
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|
|
Funding |
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Budgeted |
$0 |
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New Funding |
$0 |
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Savings |
$0 |
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Other |
$0 |
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Total Funding Available |
$0 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$38,690 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: This contract and budget transfer results in a $38,690 reduction in General Fund contingency and increase in Net County Cost.
Background: The County has historically provided a General Fund subsidy to certain fire districts that have received a lesser share of the ad valorem property tax relative to other fire districts. This subsidy has been known as "Aid to Fire." Given increasing constraints on the County General Fund, the Board terminated the Aid to Fire contract in June 2009. Working with the Local Agency Formation Commission and the fire districts, the Board commissioned a study, known as the Citygate Report to explore alternatives to fire and emergency services. The Citygate Report recommended that the County continue funding fire districts for two years to provide time to further explore service delivery options.
At the June 7, 2010 budget workshop the Board directed the Standing Fire Committee to work with the Chief Administrative Office and the (fire district) Joint Power Association to allocate up to $600,000 from the ad valorem tax within CSA No. 7 annually for two years. On February 15, 2011 the Board approved approved an agreement through CSA No. 7 to provide funding to six West Slope fire districts for emergency medical services and related equipment.
The Fallen Leaf Lake Volunteer Fire Department is a service of the Fallen Leaf Lake Community Services District. Fallen Leaf has historically received Aid to Fire. However, funds from CSA No. 7 cannot be spent in the Tahoe Basin so Fallen Leaf was excluded from contract adopted by the Board on February 15.
Reason for Recommendation: This contract and budget transfer provides a comparable level of funding to Fallen Leaf Lake Volunteer Fire Department as was provided to former Aid to Fire districts on the West Slope through the recently approved CSA No. 7 contract.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Chief Administrative Office to finalize signatures on the contract and prepare claim for payment by the Auditor-Controller.
Contact: Mike Applegarth (5123)
Concurrences: County Counsel and Risk Management