To: Board of Supervisors
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: December 18, 2017
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Department Contact: |
Carmel J. Angelo |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 90 mins |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Direction Regarding Fiscal Year 2017-18 Distribution of Proposition 172 Funding to County Fire Districts
(Sponsor: Executive Office)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Discuss and give direction to staff regarding the preferred formula for disbursement of Proposition 172 funding to County Fire Districts for Fiscal Year 2017-18.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On November 17, 2015 the Board appointed a Fire-EMS Advisory Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Supervisors Gjerde and Hamburg which met with fire district representatives and County staff. On March 14, 2016, the Committee made an initial report of its findings and recommendations to the Board. On May 3, 2016, the Board approved the distribution of $398,130 to the fire districts. During 2017-18 budget hearings held on June 6-7, 2017, the Board approved allocation of the same dollar amount as the previous year for fire districts but did not agree on the formula for distribution of the funds. On November 21, 2017, the Board directed that this item be placed on the next available agenda for discussion and direction of a formula for distribution of the funds.
Summary of Request:
Proposition 172, a permanent half-cent sales tax to support public safety, was approved by the voters on November 2, 1993. Proposition 172 was intended as a partial backfill for the shift in local property tax, which began in Fiscal Year 1992-93, away from counties, cities and special districts and into “Educational Revenue Augmentation Funds” (ERAFs) to support schools. The purpose of Proposition 172 was not necessarily to increase public safety funding, but to maintain public safety funding in spite of ERAF property tax shifts. Counties, the largest contributor of ERAF funds, are also the largest recipient of Proposition 172 funds. Proposition 172 directed a lessor amount of funds to cities and none to special districts, including fire. The Board of Supervisors has historically allocated Proposition 172 funding to augment General Fund support for the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, Probation and Juvenile Hall. The County has provided support to fire and emergency medical services through funding of dispatch services but has not otherwise provided a direct allocation of Proposition 172 funding. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2015-16 the Board of Supervisors has directed approximately $180,000 annually in General Fund revenue to support Advanced Life Support (ALS) services in specified outlying areas of the County.
On May 3, 2016 the Board directed that $398,130 be distributed to the fire districts for Fiscal Year 2016-17. The total dollar amount was determined based on the percentage of County ERAF contributions reimbursed by Proposition 172, savings of budgeted vs. actual costs for dispatch services and other factors. The actual amount distributed to each fire district was based on a formula developed by the Mendocino County Association of Fire Districts. The Board clarified that this is a discretionary allocation of General Fund revenue that may be reduced or discontinued depending on the fiscal needs of the County and policy of the Board.
During the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget hearings, the Board allocated the same amount to fire districts for Fiscal Year 2017-18; directed that the allocation no longer be linked to cost/savings from the dispatch contract; and that the percentage of Proposition 172 funds allocated to fire this fiscal year be carried forward into future fiscal years. The Board deferred making a decision on the formula for disbursing the funds. During the November 21, 2017, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board directed that this item be placed on the next available agenda for discussion and direction.
Supervisor McCowen recently held discussions with individual members of the Mendocino County Association of Fire Districts. Those discussions have resulted in an alternative funding formula for disbursement of Proposition 172 funds to fire agencies. Under the proposal, the Fort Bragg City Fire Dept. and the Ukiah City Fire Dept. would no longer receive an allocation as a fire agency but residents of the four incorporated cities would be included in that part of the allocation based on population. The base share for each fire agency would also be increased to a minimum of $10,000. In order to fund the revised allocation an additional allocation of $87,521 will be required. The Mendocino County Association of Fire Districts endorsed the alternative funding formula at their meeting on December 13, 2017 and submitted a revised spreadsheet showing the proposed distribution and a letter of support. In the event the Board chooses to support the proposed alternative, Supervisor McCowen has prepared a companion agenda item that will provide the Board with the option to approve and allocate the increased funding.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide alternative direction to staff.
Supplemental Information Available Online at: n/a
Fiscal Impact:
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Source of Funding: BU 4016 863113 |
Budgeted in Current F/Y: Yes |
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Current F/Y Cost: $398,130 |
Annual Recurring Cost: $398,130 |
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Supervisorial District: All |
Vote Requirement: Majority |
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Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Janelle Rau, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Nadia Tipton |
Final Status:Approved with Direction |
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Date: December 20, 2017 |
Executed Item No.: N/A |
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Note to Department: Approved the allocation and disbursement of $87,521 in Contingency Funds to fully fund the proposed alternative funding formula for allocation of Proposition 172 funds to local fire agencies |
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Executed Documents Returned to Department: Originals _____ Copies _____ Hand Delivered ___ Interoffice Mail ___ Executed Agreement Sent to Auditor? Y/N |
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