COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

January 31, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 15, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for Fire Protection Services

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

Authorizing execution of an Agreement with the California Department of Forestry (CDF) to provide fire protection services for the term of July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 in the amount of $7,405,624

B.

Authorizing an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) transferring $178,952 from Structural Fire Fund Non-General Fund Reserves to County Service Area #1 to cover increased personnel and benefits contract costs

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensuring health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing complete fire protection services for the unincorporated lands of the County.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2003-04
Actual

FY 2004-05
Projected

Percent of fire and EMS calls responded to within time criteria

92%

95%

BACKGROUND:

The County has maintained a contract with CDF for fire protection services in the unincorporated areas of the County not protected by cities or fire districts, and County Service Area #1 (CSA #1/Eichler Highlands) since 1962. In addition to fire and emergency medical services, CDF provides fire protection planning for new construction, fire prevention activities and life safety inspection in the County areas. CDF also oversees the operations of five County-funded volunteer fire companies.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed Agreement will provide for the continued, uninterrupted provision of fire protection services which have been contracted for since 1962. During the FY 2004-05 contract period, CDF will also continue to focus on upgrading much of the existing infrastructure in the San Mateo County Fire Department and volunteer fire apparatus.

CDF/County Fire staff will be working with the Public Safety Communications Division (PSC) to improve the accuracy and speed of dispatch services in the rural County areas and with the Public Works Department to prioritize and perform maintenance on the four County-owned fire stations. Additionally, CDF staff will work with the Planning and Building Division on the adoption of the Uniform Fire Code.

Because CDF contracts with multiple jurisdictions, CDF requires all contracting jurisdictions to sign the standard State-issued boilerplate contract without any addenda or changes. CDF does provide equal benefits to its employees and also follows a strict non-discrimination policy aligned with the County’s non-discrimination language. However, a waiver request of equal benefits and non-discrimination language has been submitted and approved by the County Manager’s Office since the boilerplate contract lacks the County’s enforcement language. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total amount of the contract for FY 2004-05 is $7,405,624 and covers personnel costs, administrative fees, supplies and fixed assets costs. The majority of the contract ($5,644,681) is financed through the Fire Protection Fund which receives monies from property tax levied on all properties located within the County, but outside of cities and fire districts. The remainder ($1,760,943) is financed by the County Service Area #1 Fund which receives property tax revenue and special tax revenue for both police and fire protection. There is no impact to the County General Fund under this Agreement.

An Appropriation Transfer Request is being submitted to cover increased personnel contract costs totaling $178,952 in CSA #1 which were under-estimated at the time of budget preparation due to increases in benefit and retirement rates and will be paid from Non-General Fund Reserves. Service level reductions in non-essential staff positions were made in Fire Protection which reduced their contract costs by $280,345, hence no budgetary adjustment is needed in the Fire Protection Fund to cover additional personnel costs.