SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF - REQUEST APPROVAL FOR NEW REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CUSTOMER REVENUE AGREEMENTS WITH AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC, AND SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The Regional Communications System (RCS) provides public safety and public service radio communications services to San Diego and Imperial Counties, 24 incorporated cities, and numerous other local, state, federal, and tribal government agencies in the San Diego County and Imperial County regions, supporting operational, tactical, and emergency communications. These services are governed by formal customer service agreements, all of which are set to expire on June 30, 2026. On October 8, 2025, the RCS Board of Directors approved the renewal of these agreements for a five-year term, covering the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. New agreements will be prepared for each renewed customer. Three agencies, American Medical Response (AMR), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), have more than $250,000 estimated maximum annual revenue. However, County Administrative Code Section 123 requires that any revenue agreement over this amount must come to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval.
Today's actions request the Board approve new revenue agreements between the County of San Diego Sheriff's Office, and the three agencies: American Medical Response, San Diego Gas & Electric, and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, for wireless radio communications for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SHERIFF
1. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to sign, upon receipt, the “San Diego County - Imperial County Regional Communications System Customer Agreement” with American Medical Response for the estimated total amount of up to $3,008,520 for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
2. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to sign, upon receipt, the “San Diego County - Imperial County Regional Communications System Customer Agreement” with San Diego Gas & Electric for the estimated total amount of up to $5,014,200 for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
3. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to sign, upon receipt, the “San Diego County - Imperial County Regional Communications System Customer Agreement” with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System for the estimated total amount of up to $1,880,325 for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
4. Authorize the Clerk of the Board to sign all extensions, amendments, and/or revisions to the agreements that do not materially impact either the program or funding level.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County-Imperial County Regional Communications System (RCS) radio network serves most of the public safety (law enforcement and fire) and public service (transportation and schools) users in the San Diego region. Approving these RCS agreements ensures equitable access to quality and uninterrupted services delivered to the agencies and their regional customers. By having these communication services, these agencies will have increased reliability in operations and responsiveness to emergencies and disasters, guaranteeing their ability to provide services to the people of San Diego County.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Approving these three RCS agreements with its customer agencies furthers the County’s Sustainability Goals of providing just and equitable access to programs and services and protecting the health and well-being of residents who rely on these agencies to provide their services with continuity of communication and capability.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, today’s request will result in total estimated revenue of up to $9,903,045 for the five-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, based on the maximum radios authorized in each agreement. The funding source is estimated revenue from American Medical Response (up to $3,008,520), San Diego Gas & Electric (up to $5,014,200), and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (up to $1,880,325). Estimated revenue of up to $1,909,509 for the first year, will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan for the Sheriff’s Office but will be adjusted dependent on the actual number of active radios. The first year’s revenue consists of maximum estimated revenues of $580,104 from AMR, $966,840 from SDG&E, and $362,565 from MTS. Remaining estimated revenue of up to $7,993,536 for July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2031, covering the second through fifth years, will be included in future year Operational Plans for the Sheriff’s Office. The second year’s estimated maximum revenues are $590,904 from AMR, $984,840 from SDG&E, and $369,315 from MTS. The third year’s estimated maximum revenues are $601,704 from AMR, $1,002,840 from SDG&E, and $376,065 from MTS. The fourth year’s estimated maximum revenues are $612,504 from AMR, $1,020,840 from SDG&E, and $382,815 from MTS. The fifth and final year’s estimated maximum revenues are $623,304 from AMR, $1,038,840 from SDG&E, and $389,565 from MTS. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years. Pursuant to Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery the agreements with AMR, SDG&E, and MTS are full cost recovery.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On October 8, 2025, the Regional Communications System Board of Directors recommended the renewal and establishment of new RCS Customer Service Agreements, including with AMR, SDG&E, and MTS.
BACKGROUND
The Regional Communications System (RCS) has customer agreements with several public service and public safety agencies to provide them with wireless radio communications services. All currently active customer agreements will expire on June 30, 2026. In anticipation, the Sheriff's Office Wireless Services Division, which is the staff for the RCS, recommended renewal of these agreements to the RCS Board of Directors (RCS Board). On October 8, 2025, the RCS Board approved the renewal of all existing agreements for five years, for the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. RCS staff will prepare new agreements for all of the renewed agencies.
Since American Medical Response (AMR), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) are existing customers, they were included in the renewal approved by the RCS Board. Each of the agencies will have an estimated annual revenue exceeding $250,000 and will be presented to the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval, as County Administrative Code Section 123 only authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to approve revenue contracts that do not exceed $250,000 estimated annual revenue. The estimated annual revenues are based on the agencies’ maximum allowed radios specified in their agreements, but they are only charged based on the actual number of active radios. The Board has approved the current revenue agreements for these three agencies due to the estimated annual revenue exceeding $250,000. For AMR, the Board approved the revenue agreement on November 14, 2017 (4) and effective through March 31, 2021. On March 1, 2021, the Clerk of the Board, executed a contract extension with AMR through June 30, 2026. On December 8, 2020 (3) the Board approved the revenue agreement with SDG&E, effective through June 30, 2026. On December 10, 2024 (3), the Board approved the revenue agreement with MTS, effective through June 30, 2026.
Today’s actions request the Board to approve the execution of three new revenue agreements between the County of San Diego Sheriff’s Office and AMS, SDG&E, and MTS. These agreements will be for wireless radio communications for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Pursuant to Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, the agreements with AMR, SDG&E, and MTS are full cost recovery.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions to continue agreements with these agencies supports the County of San Diego's 2026-2031 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Community (Safety) accomplished in partnership with the Regional Communications System. This allows for increased interoperability among numerous public safety and public service agencies within the San Diego region to support their operations and their ability to respond to events, emergencies, and disasters, thereby strengthening county-wide efforts to provide safety for all communities.
Respectfully submitted,
KELLY A. MARTINEZ
Sheriff
ATTACHMENT(S)
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