COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

March 4, 2004

SET TIME:

Regular Agenda

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 16, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Resolution Authorizing an Agreement Between the County and Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District Regarding County Fire Services

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Agreement Between the County and Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District Regarding County Fire Service.

BACKGROUND

Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District (MPROSD) has submitted application to San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission for the approval of its Coastside Protection Program, which if approved would expand the District boundaries, thus allowing the District to acquire and manage land within the newly defined boundaries. As land is acquired by the district the impacts on the operation and financing of County fire operations will potentially be significant impacts. Staff responded to the Draft Environmental Impact Report citing these potential impacts.

In response, the District has suggested an agreement to assist in the purchase of fire equipment and to compensate the County for the lost revenue resulting from land they acquire.

PROPOSAL

The agreement calls for $50,000 be paid by the District, to be used for the purchase of a fire engine. After 1,000 acres has been acquired, the District will make a one time payment of $50,000 to the County for the purchase of a four-wheel drive fire engine that will be used to provide services to District owned and managed land in the Coastside Protection Program area. The engine will display the District logo in addition to any County identification.

In addition, the agreement provides for the District to compensate the County for property taxes that would otherwise have been received from the taxes levied on property acquired by the District. As land is acquired by the District, the tax revenues normally available from that land to fund fire services would no longer be available, and the loss of such revenue would be a potentially significant impact. County staff responded to the Draft Environmental Impact Report citing these potential impacts. The District has worked with staff to address this concern resulting in the attached agreement. The Board meets on March 6. Staff will provide information on outcome of that meeting at the Board of Supervisors March 16, 2004 meeting.

VISION ALIGNMENT

The agreement is consistent with goal #7 in providing for future working relationships that protect the public safety of all residents and visitors, particularly those using these open space lands on the coast. In addition, the agreement provides that government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impacts, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain, as outlined in goal #20. Implementation of the agreement ensures that the District and the County are working together to ensure a strategic approach to issues affecting the County as stated in goal #22.

FISCAL IMPACT

The agreement does not have an immediate fiscal impact. Over the term of the agreement, 15 years, as property is acquired by the District, the current revenue stream will be preserved by this agreement. Total fiscal impact of the agreement, over the term of the agreement is expected to be in the neighborhood of $50,000 based on the Economics Research Associates study prepared for MPROSD.

ATTACHMENTS

A.

Resolution

B.

Agreement