To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Terri Wright 565-3775; Marissa Montenegro 565-3771
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Redwood Empire Communications Authority Agreements
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the County Administrator to sign an agreement with the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority to pay dispatch fees on behalf of special districts that provide fire and emergency medical response services in the amount of $900,000, through June 30, 2024.
B) Authorize the County Administrator to sign an agreement with Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority (REDCOM) to distribute $200,000 annually in Graton Mitigation fund monies for Fiscal Years 2017-2018 through 2020-2021.
end
Executive Summary:
The County is engaged in a multi-year effort to create more efficient, effective, and sustainable fire services. As part of the Fire Services Project, the County of Sonoma has annually for the last three years, paid the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority (REDCOM) fees on behalf of special districts that provide fire and emergency medical response in Sonoma County (Districts). This Board item seeks authorization to enter into a multi-year contract to cover the dispatch fees that have been previously reimbursed through annual contracts.
This item also requests authority for the County Administrator to execute an agreement with the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority (REDCOM) in order to pay $200,000 annually from the Graton Mitigation Fund to mitigate impacts of the Graton Casino.
Discussion:
REDCOM Dispatch Services
On December 12, 2017, the Board of Supervisors agreed to enter into an Agreement with REDCOM to cover the dispatch fees for local fire agencies rather than reimburse the individual charges for each fire agency. The Sonoma County Chief’s Association Strategic Leadership Group has determined that this contribution from the County is of the highest and best use of County funding supporting fire services and has recommended to the Fire Services Ad-Hoc (Supervisors Rabbitt and Hopkins) to continue support of the REDCOM dispatch fees.
On April 16, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted a revised policy for the Community Investment Fund that states a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) should be utilized to fund fire dispatch services. This action enables the County to enter into a multi-year contract through FY 2023-2024 for up to $900,000 per year but also allows minor modifications to the contract amount in the event the dispatch fees exceed $900,000. Dispatch fees for FY 2018-2019 are $842,970 and will be $877,212 for FY 2019-2020. Staff expects the fees to increase above $900,000 but it is unknown if this will occur in FY 2020-2021 or in FY 2021-2022. Staff anticipates that the savings between the $900,000 authorized and the actual dispatch fee costs will assist in covering any costs that exceed $900,000 through the term of the agreement. However, in the event these costs savings do not cover the increased costs as planned, staff will return as a part of the TOT authorization process to seek direction from the Board.
Tribal Section
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 law enforcement, fire and emergency services, and services to offset socioeconomic impacts of the casino, among other things.
REDCOM is identified as one of the potentially impacted agencies due to increased call volume, and therefore is eligible for mitigation payments. The annual amount to mitigate impacts on REDCOM was not specified in the agreement, and is therefore subject to Board of Supervisors approval. On July 21, 2015, your Board approved the distribution of $200,000 per year to be allocated to REDCOM from Tribal Mitigation Funds which was approved through FY 2016-2017.
In part because of the expectation of additional call volume related to the Casino, REDCOM expanded its footprint in space leased from the County. The terms of the lease agreement with REDCOM signed in January 2014 for space in 2796 Ventura Avenue call for REDCOM to annually use $200,000 of mitigation funds it receives beginning January 1, 2016, to reimburse the County for the costs of tenant improvements. Earlier payments are designated for REDCOM to meet other costs. Payments have been made to REDCOM through FY 2016-2017. Staff recommend continuing the annual amount of $200,000 allocated to REDCOM for Fiscal Years 2017-2018 through 2020-2021.
The Graton Casino opened in late 2013 and has been operating since that time. The California Gambling Control Commission approved the first distribution of funds associated with the Casino on June 12, 2014 and the County has since received regular payments of the minimum guaranteed amount from the Tribe. As of June 30, 2015 sufficient funds have accumulated to pay REDCOM the recommended amounts.
This item requests Board approval of an agreement to pay REDCOM $200,000 annually from the Graton Mitigation Fund for the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021, for a total amount of $800,000. If approved, payment will be made from tribal mitigation fund balance.
Prior Board Actions:
April 16, 2019: Community Investment Fund authorization
July 21, 2015: FY 2013-2014 through 2016-2017 REDCOM Agreement
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 18-19 Adopted |
FY19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other (TOT & Tribal Mitigation) |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Funding from TOT Funds were included in the FY 2018-19 budget for the REDCOM agreement. Future years will be included in the annual budget cycle.
Funding for the REDCOM payment was included in the FY 2018-19 non-departmental budget and future years will be budgeted with approved agreement.
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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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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment A: Dispatch Fees Agreement
Attachment B: REDCOM Memorandum of Understanding
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A