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Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Solano County and the Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts to fund a Pilot Seasonal Wildfire Program and continue to work collaboratively on reorganization efforts; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and any necessary amendments up to $74,999, with County Counsel concurrence
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Solano County and the Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts to fund a Pilot Seasonal Wildfire Program and continue to work collaboratively on reorganization efforts; and
2. Provide delegated authority to the County Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and any necessary amendments up to $74,999, with County Counsel concurrence.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In its FY2024/25 Recommended Budget, the Board approved up to $185,000 in funding for a Pilot Seasonal Wildfire Program to be operated by the Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts (Districts). Funding will allow Districts to operate with one staffed engine per district during peak call hours, seven days per week through November 2024. This funding will provide certainty of call response during peak hours of wildfire season, with staffed engines ready to deploy to a wildfire, reducing response times that normally include volunteer travel time.
On June 22, 2021, the Board took action to support the operational needs of the Districts in anticipation of possible reorganization of the Districts. On April 10, 2024, the Districts adopted a MOU to work together to provide advisory support to the acting Vacaville Fire Chief while working collaboratively to study the feasibility of the reorganization of fire and emergency services. The purpose of the proposed MOU is to both provide seasonal funding support and support the ongoing reorganization efforts of the fire protection districts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost for this program is included in Sheriff’s Office/Office of Emergency Services FY2024/25 Working Budget, totaling up to $185,000 from one-time revenues dedicated to wildfire response. The pilot program revenue source funding comes from the original State funding secured by Senator Dodd. Due to other grant sources offsetting previously allocated efforts, this State funding is now available for allocation to other wildfire-related efforts. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to enter into the MOU; however, this is not recommended because the funding has already been allocated for this pilot program.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff met with the Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts, County Counsel, and the Office of the Sherriff/Office of Emergency Services on this effort.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION