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DATE: |
August 31, 2021 and October 5, 2021 |
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SUBJECT
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING: INITIATION OF DISSOLUTION OF COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 69 AND TRANSFER OF FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE CITY OF SANTEE AND LAKESIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AS SUCCESSOR AGENCIES (DISTRICT: 2)
OVERVIEW
Established by the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (Board) in 1974, County Service Area No. 69 (CSA 69) provides funding and administrative oversight for Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance transport services within the City of Santee, Lakeside Fire Protection District, and the surrounding unincorporated communities of Pepper Drive and Bostonia, covering approximately 63 square miles of unincorporated east county. Under governance of the Board, administrative oversight is provided by the County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services Office (County EMS). Through a contract with the County, the City of Santee and the Lakeside Fire Protection District receive funding from the County to provide ALS ambulance transport services to CSA 69.
In April 2019, County EMS retained a consultant to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the current management system and service delivery model and present their findings in a white paper. The review indicated a fundamental transformation of the CSA structure was long overdue and proposed the dissolution of CSA 69 and transfer of funding and administrative oversight for ALS ambulance transport services to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District. The dissolution will align responsibilities and provide local control for administrative oversight, management of tax revenue, and provision of services.
Today’s request seeks approval to take the necessary actions to initiate the dissolution of CSA 69 and transfer funding and administrative oversight for ALS ambulance transport services to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District as successor agencies.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
On August 31, 2021:
1. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution of intention for dissolution of County Service Area No. 69 is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) but exempt from additional analysis pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5) also apply because the proposed action involves government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment and because the proposed action involves organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15320 applies because the proposed action involves a reorganization of local governmental agencies where the changes do not alter the geographical area in which existing powers are exercised.
2. Adopt the Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS FOR DISSOLUTION OF COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 69 (Attachment A, on file with the Clerk of the Board).
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to develop the resolution of application to the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission and the plan for service prior to the October 5, 2021 board meeting.
If, on August 31, 2021, the Board takes action as recommended, then on October 5, 2021:
1. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution of application for dissolution of County Service Area No. 69 is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) but exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5) also apply because the proposed action involves government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment and because the proposed action involves organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15320 applies because the proposed actions involve a reorganization of local governmental agencies where the changes do not alter the geographical area in which existing powers are exercised.
2. Adopt the Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF APPLICATION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS WITH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION FOR DISSOLUTION OF COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 69.
3. Authorize County departments to take all actions necessary to develop and adopt a County Service Area No. 69 Transition Plan with the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District.
4. Authorize the Auditor and Controller, and other County departments, to take all actions necessary to transfer funding and administrative oversight for ambulance services from County Service Area No. 69 to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District.
5. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide a certified copy of the Resolution of Application to the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Office is committed to assuring that equity is considered in policy development, EMS resource availability, and EMS service provision in all areas where the County has jurisdictional influence and/or authority. Community feedback received at public meetings indicates residents support the dissolution of County Service Area No. 69 and the transfer of funding and administrative oversight for Advanced Life Support ambulance transport services to local jurisdictions.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, this request will transfer future property tax revenue received from County Service Area No. 69 (CSA 69) to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District. The property tax and benefit fee revenue generated for CSA 69 totaled approximately $3,492,662 in Fiscal Year 2020-21. A review of the assets and liabilities will be conducted as due diligence by the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On May 13, 2021, the County Service Area No. 69 (CSA 69) Advisory Committee received an informational presentation on the White Paper Assessing the Effectiveness of the CSA Structure for Ambulance Services in San Diego County Service Area No. 69 (Attachment B, on file with the Clerk of the Board). Following the presentation, a motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the information on ambulance service delivery as presented in the consultant report.
BACKGROUND
COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 69
Established by the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (Board) in 1974, County Service Area No. 69 (CSA 69) provides funding and administrative oversight for Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulance transport service within the City of Santee, Lakeside Fire Protection District, and the surrounding unincorporated communities of Pepper Drive and Bostonia, covering approximately 63 square miles of unincorporated east county. The CSA was formed to fund and oversee advanced life support (paramedic) transport services to what was then a relatively rural service area (the population now exceeds 135,000 residents). Through a series of authorizations that were approved by referendum by the affected residents in these areas, additional tax levies were authorized to fund these services due to the rural demographic and relatively low response volume. Today, under governance of the Board, administrative oversight is provided by the San Diego County Emergency Medical Services Office (County EMS).
KEY CONCLUSIONS
The independent review of ambulance service delivery in CSA 69 completed in April 2021 sought to establish a direct link between the level of patient care and the costs associated with providing the services, as well as an impartial outside perspective regarding system improvements. Significant input from numerous stakeholders, as well as extensive and continual financial analysis and modeling for the CSA, resulted in a recommendation to transfer funding and administrative oversight to a local governing structure. The report, White Paper Assessing the Effectiveness of the CSA Structure for Ambulance Services in San Diego County Service Area No. 69 (Attachment B, on file with the Clerk of the Board), found the modifications would be best achieved by transitioning both funding and administrative oversight of ambulance and first response activities to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District, removing the County of San Diego from any role in these operations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Though the interaction between the County of San Diego and the CSA 69 service providers have operated successfully for multiple decades, substantial and fundamental changes are warranted to tie operational service delivery with available revenues. A dissolution of CSA 69 and transfer of services, property tax, and benefit fees to the City of Santee and Lakeside Fire Protection District will enable these successor agencies to provide funding and administrative oversight going forward, in addition to maintaining their roles as ambulance service providers in the same scope and manner as currently delivered.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support each of the Strategic Initiatives contained in the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan that promotes Building Better Health, Living Safely, Sustainable Environments/Thriving and Operational Excellence.
Respectfully submitted,
JOEL ANDERSON
Supervisor, Second District
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS FOR DISSOLUTION OF COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 69
Exhibit A: Map of Affected Territory
Attachment B - White Paper Assessing the Effectiveness of the CSA Structure for Ambulance Services in San Diego County Service Area No. 69
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
REQUIRES FOUR VOTES: ☐ Yes ☒ No
WRITTEN DISCLOSURE PER COUNTY CHARTER SECTION 1000.1 REQUIRED
☐ Yes ☒ No
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PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS: November 19, 2019 (5) Noticed Public Hearing: County Service Area No. 69; Adopt A Resolution by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego Requesting the Annexation of Territory to County Service Area No. 69 and Amendment to Sphere of Influence of County Service Area No. 69; January 29, 2019 (1) Property Tax Exchange Relative to Islands 2, 3, and 4; February 2, 2016 (1), Improving Fire and Life Safety Services in Unincorporated San Diego County, Extending Structural Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services to Unincorporated Service Islands Nos. 2, 3 and 4; June 25, 2008 (1), Improving Fire and Life Safety Services in Unincorporated San Diego County. |
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BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE: N/A |
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BOARD POLICY STATEMENTS: N/A |
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MANDATORY COMPLIANCE: N/A |
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ORACLE AWARD NUMBER(S) AND CONTRACT AND/OR REQUISITION NUMBER(S): N/A |
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ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Board of Supervisors, District 2 |
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OTHER CONCURRENCE(S): |
N/A |
CONTACT PERSON(S):
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Michael Kulis |
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Name |
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(619) 531-5522 |
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Phone |
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Phone |
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Michael.Kulis@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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E-mail |
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E-mail |