To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Counsel
Staff Name and Phone Number: Kristin Horrell, Deputy County Counsel, 707-565-6117
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District Legal Services Agreement
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize County Counsel to execute an agreement to provide legal services to the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute a related conflict-of-interest waiver.
end
Executive Summary:
The Office of Sonoma County Counsel provides general public agency legal services to numerous districts and agencies throughout the County. One such district, the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District (the District), formerly known as the Geyserville Fire Protection District, has requested that the Office of Sonoma County Counsel provide legal counsel to the District. Staff therefore recommends the Board authorize County Counsel to execute an agreement to provide legal services to the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute a related conflict-of-interest waiver.
Discussion:
The Office of Sonoma County Counsel provides general public agency legal services to numerous districts and agencies throughout the County. One such district, the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District (the District), formerly known as the Geyserville Fire Protection District, has requested that the Office of Sonoma County Counsel provide legal counsel to the District. County Counsel’s Office has provided legal services to the Geyserville Fire Protection District since at least 2006. On April 19, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Geyserville Fire Protection District adopted a resolution changing the name of the District from the Geyserville Fire Protection District to the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District. In light of the adoption of the new name for the District, a new Legal Services Agreement (Agreement) must be executed to reflect the change.
County Counsel’s Office has a standard legal services agreement and possible conflict-of-interest waiver for entities it represents that are not governed by the Board of Supervisors. There is a potential for conflicts of interest between the District and the County of Sonoma and other special districts as to which the Board of Supervisors acts as the governing body. To permit the County Counsel’s Office to represent the District in light of potential conflicts, both the District and the County Board of Supervisors must sign a waiver of such potential conflicts. The waiver makes clear the District may not disqualify the County Counsel’s office from representing the County or related entities if an actual conflict arises.
There is no set term for this Agreement, and it shall be in effect until terminated either by the District in writing, or by Counsel if required to withdrawal, as set forth in the Agreement.
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$552 |
$564 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$552 |
$564 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
County Counsel estimates it will provide the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District with around 2 hours of legal services per year. At a billing rate of $276 for FY 20/21, it is anticipated the revenue generated will be about $552 dollars. For FY 21/22, the estimated legal services is approximately 2 hours, and at a billing rate of $282 for FY 21/22, it is anticipated the revenue generated will be about $564 dollars. It is estimated that for FY 22/23, there will be about 2 hours of legal services. There is no billing rate yet set for 2022/2023.
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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):
N/A
Attachments:
Legal Services Agreement with the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A