Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12142010 - D.1RECOMMENDATION(S): CONSIDER adopting Resolution 2010/591 reducing the regular staffing at Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Station #1 in the City of Walnut Creek from two companies (six positions) to one company (three positions) effective January 1, 2011, as recommended by the Fire Chief. FISCAL IMPACT: Reducing the regular staffing at Fire Station 1 from two companies to one company effective January 1, 2011, is projected to result in a cost savings of approximately $800,000 in the current fiscal year (FY 2010-11). BACKGROUND: On April 20, 2010, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors (Board) adopted a fiscal year (FY) 2010-11 proposed budget for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) that included, among other reductions, "browing out" or closing four fire stations for twelve months. Even with the proposed reductions, the District still anticipated utilizing a significant amount of its reserve fund to balance the FY 2010-11 budget. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 12/14/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor ABSENT:Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Contact: Daryl Louder (925) 941-3500 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: December 14, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: D. 1 To:Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors From:Daryl L. Louder, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Date:December 14, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Implementation of Contra Costa Fire Service Delivery Reduction Effective January 1, 2011 BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) The District's operations are primarily funded by property taxes; therefore, the District has been particularly affected by the decline in the housing market and resulting impact on property tax revenues. Additionally, the District is currently losing approximately $12 million per year in property tax revenues to redevelopment agencies within the District. The proposed service delivery reductions were subsequently delayed to allow for the appointment of a new Fire Chief and to allow that individual time to review the operations of the District and present a corrective action plan to the Board. On September 14 and 28, 2010, the County Administrator and the new Fire Chief met with the Board to discuss the District's fiscal problem and potential corrective measures. During those meetings the Fire Chief revised the original recommendation of closing four stations for twelve months to closing (or destaffing) two fire companies for six months. The projected property tax decline for FY 2010-11 was not as severe as had originally been projected and delaying the implementation of service level reductions was intended to give the community additional time to adjust and react to the information. On September 28, 2010, the Board of Directors directed the Fire Chief to conduct a workshop to explain the methodologies used to identify specific fire stations for potential closures. The above-referenced workshop was held on November 23, 2010. The Fire Chief presented information on a number of topics including criteria for indentifying fire stations for potential closures and the impact of such closures on certain geographical areas and the overall fire and emergency medical service delivery system within the District. The Fire Chief also remarked on the criticality of revenue enhancement -- such as a funding measure on the June ballot -- to prevent dramatic service delivery reductions in FY 2011-12 and beyond. In closing, the Fire Chief noted the following: 1) the District has enough money in its reserve fund to get through the current fiscal year at the existing service level; 2) the District is understaffed at the existing service level and as such often does not meet national and County response time goals; and 3) given the critical nature of the services the District provides to the community (i.e., core public safety), the voters in the District should have an opportunity to weigh in on a funding measure before significant cuts are made to fire and emergency medical services. As such, the Fire Chief's final recommendation was to destaff one of the two fire companies at Fire Station 1 in Walnut Creek effective January 1, 2011. Excluding no service level reduction at all, the analysis showed that this action would have the least impact to fire and emergency medical response times within the District. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: A further delay in the implementation of cost reductions will increase the District's reliance on reserve funds in the current fiscal year (2010-11). That will in turn reduce available reserve funds for FY 2011-12 and require more drastic service level reductions in the next fiscal year and beyond. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Not Applicable ATTACHMENTS Resolution No. 2010/591 Attachment A Post Retirement Health Benefits Trust Agreement for the County of Contra Costa ARTICLE VI AMENDMENT OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE TRUST 6.1 Amendment of the Trust Agreement. This Trust Agreement does not provide or create any contractual or other obligation of the County or any other Employer to provide any benefit to any person. This Trust Agreement may be amended by the Board in its sole discretion in whole or in part, in any manner, and without limit, including reducing or eliminating the payment of any benefits under the Plan or Trust. Such modification, alteration or amendment may be made without providing any other benefits in lieu thereof and for any persons (including but not limited to persons then receiving benefits under the Plan or Trust). However, any assets held in the Trust at the time of amendment shall continue to be held in the Trust or transferred to the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) Public Agencies Post Retirement Health Care Plan Trust to be used solely for the benefit of the retired Employees and their Spouses and Dependents who receive benefits under the Plan. Such assets shall be used to provide health benefits in accordance with the Plan (which may be modified, altered, amended or terminated as provided therein) and pay reasonable expenses of administration and investment. Any amendment may be made without the consent of the Trustee or any other person or entity. If the Trust Agreement is amended in a way that increases the duties of the Trustee, and the Trustee objects thereto, the Trustee may resign by giving 10 days advance written notice to the Administrator and the County. 6.2 Termination of the Trust. The continuance of the Plan or Trust is not a contractual or other obligation of the County. The Board shall have the right at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Plan and/or the Trust and to cease paying any or all benefits under the Plan and Trust (including but not limited to persons then receiving benefits under the Plan or Trust) without providing any other benefits in lieu thereof. However, assets held in the Trust at the time of termination shall continue to be transferred to the PARS Public Agencies Post Retirement Health Care Plan Trust (“PARS Trust”) and used to provide health benefits in accordance with the Plan (which may be modified, altered, amended or terminated as provided therein) and pay reasonable expenses of administration and investment. Upon termination of the Trust, after all benefits owed under the Plan have been paid and all Plan and Trust expenses have been paid, any assets remaining in the Trust shall revert to the Employers in proportion to their contributions to the Trust for the prior 5 years or be transferred to another entity or person that meets the requirements to be tax exempt under the Code, as determined by each Employer, in its discretion, with respect to Trust assets allocated to its account. Additionally, the continuance of the PARS Trust is not a contractual or other obligation of the County. The Board shall have the same rights with respect to the PARS Trust as are provided for this Trust in the first sentence of this section. Once the Trust is terminated, those persons serving as Trustees are no longer Trustees.