To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
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Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement between the County of Humboldt and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) to Provide Fire Protection Services in County Service Area (CSA) #4 and Fire Dispatch Services
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Chair to execute the Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement 1CA04409 with Cal FIRE for fire protection services to CSA #4 and fire dispatch services, beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020;
2. Waive the Humboldt Nuclear-Free Clause;
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to submit five copies of the agreement and two copies of the Board Resolution to the County Administrative Office for processing; and
4. Direct the Human Resources Director to provide a certificate of insurance (two certified copies) with the following wording “State of California, its officers, agents, employees and servants are included as additional insured’s for the purpose of this contract. Insurer will not cancel the insured’s coverage without 30 days prior notice to State.”
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
CSA #4 property assessment Fund 3970 and General Fund
DISCUSSION:
By state law, Cal FIRE is responsible for protecting natural resources from forest fires, whereas local agencies are primarily responsible for protecting life and property from fires and other emergencies. Cal FIRE provides fire protection services in the Trinidad area during the fire season.
For many years, the county has contracted with Cal FIRE to provide fire protection services during the non-fire season in CSA #4. CSA #4 includes the community of Westhaven, the unincorporated area surrounding the City of Trinidad, and the unincorporated area adjacent to U.S. Highway 101 stretching approximately ten miles north of Trinidad, see attached map. The residents of CSA #4 formed an assessment district to pay for fire protection services on a year-round basis. The maximum benefit assessment was approved by property owners through an election conducted in 2003 (Agenda Item dated May 6, 2003 F-3). The assessment currently is not to exceed $37 per benefit unit and is adjusted annually by an inflation factor based on the Consumer Price Index. Your Board is the Board of Commissioners for CSA #4.
Humboldt’s Nuclear-Free Clause will need to be waived because the state will not modify its standard agreement to incorporate local requirements.
The proposed agreement contains two components. The first component is for fire protection services for CSA #4, based at the Cal FIRE Trinidad station. This portion of the agreement funds three firefighters and operating expenses which are reimbursed through the assessment fee. The second component of the proposed agreement includes funding twelve (12) months of a Communications Operator for the Fortuna Emergency Command Center (ECC). The county is responsible for a 75 percent share and the Humboldt County Dispatch Cooperative is responsible for a 25 percent share. This provides a Communications Operator in the ECC, eight (8) hours a day, five (5) days a week, on a year-round basis to support dispatch services for local fire district agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The terms of the Fire Protection Agreement, 1CA04409, is July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, and not to exceed $451,668 for the one-year period. This amount represents $149,909 for dispatch services and $301,759 for fire protection services. Humboldt County Dispatch Cooperative will be invoiced a maximum of $37,477 by the county for their 25 percent share of the total dispatch cost in fiscal year (FY) 2019-20. The CSA #4 estimated responsibility is $414,190. Approximately $171,200 is generated annually by the benefit assessment, the remaining $242,991 must be covered by the General Fund. The disparity between the actual cost of fire service and the benefit assessment will need to be addressed in the future.
The FY 2019-20 budget includes a total of $379,411 for these services. The county will only be invoiced for actual costs, not to exceed the agreement amount. Historically, charges have been significantly less than the maximum contract amounts. Accordingly, no supplemental budget will be requested at this time. Staff will monitor the expenses as the year progresses and return with a supplemental budget request if necessary. Based on the budgeted totals, the General Fund contribution for dispatch and CSA #4 fire services in FY 2019-20 is $208,211.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the agreement. This is not recommended as it leaves CSA #4 and the Humboldt County Dispatch Cooperative with fewer resources.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution to execute Agreement
2. Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: F-3, C-14, C-8, C-6, C-10, C-8
Meeting of: 5/6/03, 6/22/10, 6/14/11, 9/6/11, 6/19/12, 5/24/16
File No.: N/A