COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R. ESPINOSA

(1) Adopt Resolution supporting the formation of a countywide fire protection district, (2) Request the City of Hollister obtain direction from the City Council as to whether the City of Hollister is willing to proceed forward with a fire protection district, and (3) Direct staff to negotiate a cost sharing mechanism to share the costs of district formation, and/or provide other direction to staff.  

SBC FILE NUMBER: 60

The County of San Benito and City of Hollister entered into a Fire Protection Contract in 2013 to consolidate fire services in the county.  In 2015 this contract was renewed for an additional 3 years.  The goal of the joint fire protection venture was to eventually work towards consolidating all fire protection services in the county.  At the September 1, 2016 Fire Protection Committee meeting, all members agreed to return to their respective board or council to direct staff to pursue a FPD and not a JPA.

Soon after beginning the contract with the City of Hollister, the City was awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant which funded 12 fire fighters at a cost of $1.2 million a year.  A two-year extension was expected to be awarded by September 30 but did not materialize resulting in the need for more funding to retain the 12 grant funded firefighters or to terminate them.  As reported by the City of Hollister Fire Chief at the September 27, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, without the 12 firefighters, the City of Hollister will struggle to continue serving the unincorporated areas of the county.

The City of Hollister has been providing Fire Protection to the unincorporated areas of the county through 3 fire stations, two located in the City of Hollister, and a third located in the City of San Juan Bautista.  The County has selected and funded a fourth fire station that will be located at the intersection of Rosa Morada Road and Fairview Road which is planned to serve as a County Fire Station in the near future. 

(1) Adopt Resolution supporting the formation of a countywide fire protection district, (2) Request the City of Hollister obtain direction from the City Council as to whether the City of Hollister is willing to proceed forward with a fire protection district, and (3) direct staff to develop a cost sharing mechanism to share the costs of district formation, and/or provide other direction to staff.