HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08132013 - FPD D.3RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to
apply for and accept a 2013 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Department of Homeland Security in an amount not to exceed
$10,365,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$10,365,000, 100% Federal. No District match required.
BACKGROUND:
The District continues to face unprecedented financial challenges due to the decline in the housing market and
resulting impact on property tax revenues. The District has restructured and downsized the organization in an attempt
to achieve a balanced budget while minimizing the impact on emergency response activities. Several positions were
eliminated in 2010. Employees have agreed to significant wage and benefit reductions. Service and supply budgets
have been cut to a minimal level and capital expenditures have essentially been non-existent for the last several
years. Since January 2011, having exhausted expense
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 08/13/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, Director
Candace Andersen,
Director
Mary N. Piepho, Director
Karen Mitchoff, Director
Federal D. Glover, Director
Contact: Daryl Louder, Fire Chief
(925) 941-3312
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: August 13, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
D.3
To:Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors
From:Daryl Louder, Fire Chief
Date:August 13, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT-SAFER GRANT APPLICATION
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
reduction options throughout the organization, seven (7) companies have been de-staffed with an additional company
scheduled for January 1, 2014.
As the District enters a new fiscal year, certain costs are still being deferred – such as the replacement of aging fire
apparatus, improvement and maintenance of building structures, and preservation of our internal service fund for
Workers’ Compensation at an 80% confidence level. In addition to a number of positions that were totally eliminated
in 2010, personnel costs have been further reduced by continuing to manage vacancies in several key positions.
The District faces predictable increases to health insurance premiums in the upcoming year – for both current
employees and retirees – and will again be required to make an annual payment on its portion of the County’s
actuarial accrued liability for other post-employment benefits (OPEB).
Of particular note for FY 2013/14 is a significant increase to pension costs. In July 2013, the Board of Trustees for
Contra Costa County Employee's Retirement Association set the rates for FY 2014/15, which included a recent
decrease to the assumed rate of return from 7.75% to 7.25%, resulting in a projected 55% increase in the Safety Tier
A rate. At current service levels, this adds approximately $9 million to next year’s operating budget.
The request is to fund twenty seven (27) positions which would be utilized to restore services to two closed fire
stations and prevent the closure of a fire station scheduled for January 2014. The SAFER grant in the amount of
$10,365,000 will pay the total salary and benefit costs associated with each position for a two (2) year period.
Voluntary overtime costs are not eligible. However, overtime costs fire agencies routinely pay as part of a
firefighter’s regular and recurring salary (i.e., “scheduled overtime”) in order to comply with the Fair Labor Standards
Act are eligible.
During the period of performance the grantee must maintain:
1) the total number of authorized and funded firefighter positions at the time of award;
2) the total number of SAFER-funded firefighter positions throughout the performance period.
Additionally the District cannot lay off firefighters during the period of performance, and vacancies that arise through
attrition – such as openings created by retiring firefighters – must be filled within a reasonable time period.
The above-referenced positions are fully funded by the grant; there is no grantee match requirement.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District will not be able to apply for and accept this significant grant
funding opportunity.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact.