To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Sheryl Bratton 565-3778
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
title
Graton Mitigation Fund Distributions for Fire Services
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Recommended Action:
recommended action
Approve a resolution granting the County Administrator authorization to distribute Fire Services Distributions of Graton Mitigation Fund Payments to Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District (RAFPD), Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS), and Sonoma County Fire District (SCFD) for Fiscal Years 2020-21 through 2024-25.
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Executive Summary:
The Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria (Tribe) operate a casino outside of the City of Rohnert Park, in an area served by the Sonoma County Fire District. The County of Sonoma and the Tribe have an Intergovernmental Agreement (Agreement) to mitigate the impacts of the casino which provides, among other things, for annual funding to go to fire and emergency services agencies that are impacted. While the Agreement designates the total distribution amount and the affected agencies, it does not specify how the funding is to be distributed.
This item asks for approval of distribution amounts for Fiscal Years 2020-21 through 2024-25 to Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District (RAFPD), Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS), and Sonoma County Fire District (SCFD) for Fiscal Years 2020-21 through 2024-25. All agencies agree that the philosophy used to reach the funding agreement are “proportionate impacts” to each of the agencies. These amounts will be adjusted annually in accordance with changes in funding received from the Tribe and in accordance with the Agreement.
Discussion:
The Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria operate a casino development located between Wilfred Avenue, Business Park Drive, and Labath and Langner Avenues in the unincorporated county adjacent to the City of Rohnert Park. Pursuant to the terms of the compact between the state and the tribe which provides for gaming in this development, the tribe and the County negotiated an agreement to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with this project to be funded by the revenues generated by the project. Under the compact, the State Gambling Control Commission, administers the Graton Mitigation Fund which receives the revenues, and makes quarterly payments in accordance with agreements between the Tribe and affected local governments.
The Intergovernmental Mitigation Agreement with the Tribe, approved by the Board of Supervisors in October of 2012, contains provisions for recurring mitigation payments to the County for fire and emergency services, among other things. These payments (starting at $1 million and adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) thereafter annually) are designated to be distributed to the Central Fire Authority of Sonoma County, the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, the City of Rohnert Park, and County Fire Services to mitigate impacts from the development on fire and emergency services. The allocated share of this portion of the payments between the different agencies is at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.
The Intergovernmental Mitigation Agreement defines “Fire Districts” as the Sonoma County Central Fire Authority which served the Rincon Valley and Windsor Fire Protection Districts, the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District of Sonoma County, the City of Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, and the County fire services. In April 2019 the Rincon Valley and Windsor Fire Protection Districts in addition to Mountain and Bennett Valley were consolidated into the Sonoma County Fire District and the Sonoma County Fire Authority was dissolved.
Distribution Amounts
In early 2020 the Sonoma County Fire District, Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District and Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety met to determine distribution amounts under the revised structure to effectively mitigate impacts of the Casino. In addition to the agreement of distribution amounts and in order to reduce administrative burden and ensure greater stability in Agency finances, the parties have agreed to a longer-term distribution formula through Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, and Sonoma County Fire District have agreed to distribution amounts in “proportionate impacts” to each of the agencies. The distribution amounts were memorialized in the attached Interagency Funding agreement covering the term beginning on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2025. Each agency has agreed to request a review of the agreement if impacts should change throughout the agreed upon term.
|
|
FY 20-21 |
FY 21-22 |
FY 22-23 |
FY 23-24 |
FY 24-25 |
|
RAFPD |
$280,048 |
$230,048 |
$180,048 |
$130,048 |
$100,000 |
|
RPDPS |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
SCFD |
$824,820 |
$898,917 |
$973,496 |
$1,048,566 |
$1,304,186 |
|
Total |
$1,204,868 |
$1,228,965 |
$1,253,544 |
$1,278,614 |
$1,504,186 |
The proposed amounts build upon past agreements to distribute funding. Based on CPI received to date, $1,204,868 will be available for distribution in FY 2020-21. Under the terms of the agreement and proposed resolution, Sonoma County Fire District, which includes the casino within its boundaries and responds to most of the direct casino calls, will receive $1,204,868 in FY 2020-21. Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District will receive $280,048 which will allow them to maintain staffing levels at their station that provides support to the casino and serves most calls due to casino-related traffic. The City of Rohnert Park will receive $100,000. Each year these amounts will be adjusted based on the amount received from the Tribe, which is adjusted annually based on the consumer price index. These funds will be administered through the County Administrators Office.
Prior Board Actions:
July 12, 2016 - Approved agreements with Central Fire Authority and Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District to disburse 2015-16 funds.
July 22, 2014 - Approved agreements with Central Fire Authority and Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District to disburse 2014-15 funds.
June 17, 2014 - Approved the Allocations for Fire and Emergency Services Providers.
October 2012 - Approved the Intergovernmental Mitigation Agreement.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
1,204,868 |
1,228,965 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
1,204,868 |
1,228,965 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
1,204,868 |
1,228,965 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
1,204,868 |
1,228,965 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Under this resolution, distribution amounts will be transferred to affected fire agencies beginning in Fiscal Year 2020-21 and adjusted annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. Payments are contingent upon receipt of mitigation funds from the Graton casino by the County.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Graton Mitigation Fund Fire Services Distribution Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.