title
Approve a revenue contract with NorthBay Healthcare Group, dba NorthBay Medical Center and VacaValley Hospital in the amount of $196,000, to support the upgrade of their trauma services designation from Level III to Level II, for the period of January 2, 2026 through January 1, 2027; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent FY2025/26 amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to $74,999; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request of $196,000 to recognize this revenue (4/5 vote required)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ x_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ x_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a revenue contract with NorthBay Health, dba NorthBay Medical Center, VacaValley Hospital, and NorthBay Health, in the amount of $196,000, to support the upgrade of their trauma services designation from Level III to Level II, for the period of January 2, 2026 through January 1, 2027;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent FY2025/26 amendments, with County Counsel concurrence up to $74,999; and
3. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request of $196,000 to recognize the revenue (4/5 vote required)
SUMMARY:
NorthBay Healthcare Group, dba NorthBay Medical Center and VacaValley Hospital (NorthBay), submitted an application to the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) to upgrade its trauma services designation from Level III to Level II. As of January 2, 2026, Solano County Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS), Public Health Division, began serving as the County’s designated LEMSA.
As part of this request, LEMSA conducted a trauma system study to assess countywide trauma needs, patient acuity, transport times, hospital capacity, and system readiness to ensure the appropriate level of trauma care is available to Solano residents. Based on this review and NorthBay’s demonstrated capabilities, H&SS has determined that granting Level II Trauma Center status is warranted. This upgrade will expand access to higher-level trauma care locally, reduce out-of-county transfers, and strengthen the County’s emergency response system, ultimately improving outcomes for critically injured patients.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The LEMSA collects fees for trauma designation, which are utilized to fund LEMSA responsibilities. Approval of the ATR will recognize $196,000.00 in unanticipated revenue for FY2025/26.
DISCUSSION:
Solano County currently has only one designated Level II trauma center (Kaiser Vacaville), while NorthBay remains designated Level III despite meeting Level II standards. As a result, many critically injured patients must rely on a single facility or be transferred out of the County, delaying critical medical care. Unlike a Level III trauma center, which focuses on initial assessment, stabilization, and transfer of complex cases, a Level II center provides comprehensive trauma services, including 24/7 coverage by general surgeons and key subspecialties such as neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery, dedicated ICU capacity, and a full performance improvement program.
State trauma planning standards consider population size and transport times when determining appropriate trauma capacity. With a population exceeding the threshold typically served by one Level II center (~350,000-400,000 population) and communities spread from Benicia to Dixon, Solano is well-positioned to support a second Level II designation. Adding this capacity at NorthBay will reduce transport delays, improve access to advanced trauma care, balance patient volume across hospitals, and strengthen overall system performance, leading to better outcomes for severely injured patients.
This contract is required because trauma designation fees fund the County’s Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) responsibilities, including state-mandated oversight, compliance monitoring, data reporting, and continuous quality improvement, ensuring the trauma system remains safe, effective, and aligned with California Title 22 standards. These fees allow LEMSA to carry out this work without reliance on County General Funds.
With this Level II trauma designation, NorthBay will be formally integrated into the County’s trauma system for patient routing, system coordination, data reporting, and reimbursement. For Solano County, this means more patients can receive definitive trauma care close to home, fewer delays caused by out-of-county transfers, improved clinical outcomes, and a stronger, more resilient regional trauma network.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the revenue contract with NorthBay. This is not recommended as designating an additional level II will ensure compliance with state access standards and strengthen the regional trauma system.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION