COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT  
REGULAR MEETING  
MEETING AGENDA  
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026, 9:00 AM  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER  
BOARD CHAMBER, ROOM 310  
1600 PACIFIC HIGHWAY  
SAN DIEGO, CA 92101  
A.  
B.  
Roll Call  
Non Agenda Public Communication: Opportunity for individuals to speak to the Board on any  
subject matter within the Board’s jurisdiction but not an item on the agenda. In accordance with  
the Board’s Rules of Procedure, individuals may only speak at one Non-Agenda Public  
Communication session per meeting. The speaker may select which session (General Legislative  
or Land Use Legislative Session) to address the Board for Non-Agenda Public Communication  
at their convenience.  
C.  
Approval of the Statement of Proceedings/Minutes for the meetings of San Diego County Fire  
Protection District for March 3, 2026 and March 24, 2026.  
Viewing Agenda Materials  
All documents and attachments related to agenda items are available for public viewing. You can access  
them online at www.sandiegocounty.gov/cob, or in person at the Clerk of the Board’s Office, located at  
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402, San Diego, CA 92101. The Board Meeting calendar is online at  
www.sandiegocounty.gov/bos/calendar.html.  
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92101.  
Board Actions and Recommendations  
The Board of Supervisors may take action on any item listed on the meeting agenda. While each agenda  
item includes recommendations, these are only suggestions and do not limit what the Board may  
ultimately decide. Individuals should not assume that the Board will follow the recommendations.  
Accessibility Accommodations  
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accommodations to participate, please contact us at least three days before the meeting by calling  
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Clerk of the Board’s Office in Room 402.  
Language Interpretation Services  
The County of San Diego wants everyone to be able to participate in Board meetings—no matter what  
language they speak. A Spanish interpreter is available at every Board of Supervisors meeting to assist  
those who wish to speak to the Board in Spanish. If you need interpretation in another language, please  
request it at least 72 hours before the meeting by calling 619-531-5434 or emailing  
PublicComment@sdcounty.ca.gov.  
In addition, the County can provide space in the Board Chamber’s Observation Balcony for those  
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Board in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements. Interpretation must not interrupt the  
meeting, in accordance with Government Code Section 54957.95.  
Levine Act Notice – Campaign Contribution Disclosures  
Under the Levine Act (Government Code § 84308), anyone involved in a proceeding before the Board,  
such as for a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, must disclose any campaign contributions over  
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recipient, the amount, and the date of the contribution. Disclosures can be made orally during the  
meeting or in writing on the request-to-speak form.  
Agenda Items  
DISCUSSION ITEMS  
Subject  
Category  
#
San Diego  
County Fire  
Protection  
District  
1.  
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:  
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XX OF THE SAN DIEGO  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCE CODE, RELATING TO  
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT GROUND  
AMBULANCE SERVICE AREA CHARGES AND FEES (05/05/26 -  
FIRST READING; 05/19/26 - SECOND READING UNLESS  
ORDINANCE IS MODIFIED ON SECOND READING)  
2.  
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:  
ANNUAL FIRE MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM RESOLUTIONS  
AUTHORIZING CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AND ADOPTION OF  
A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN  
1.  
SUBJECT:  
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:  
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XX OF THE SAN DIEGO  
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCE CODE, RELATING TO  
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT GROUND  
AMBULANCE SERVICE AREA CHARGES AND FEES (05/05/26 -  
FIRST READING; 05/19/26 - SECOND READING UNLESS  
ORDINANCE IS MODIFIED ON SECOND READING) (DISTRICTS:  
ALL)  
OVERVIEW  
On February 27, 2024 (FP01), the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) Board  
of Directors approved the ambulance transportation fee increase to maintain current services  
within the SDCFPD Ground Ambulance Service Area (ASA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 25-26. The  
ASA includes the entirety of the SDCFPD as well as the Deer Springs, Valley Center, Alpine,  
and a portion of the San Miguel Fire Protection Districts. Ambulance operating areas have  
historically relied upon insurance revenue from transports to hospitals to recover costs.  
However, rural communities with large geographic areas and small population centers are more  
costly to serve and generally are overrepresented by public insurance programs that reimburse at  
lower rates than private health plans. Public plans, such as Medicare and Medi-Cal, pay a fixed  
rate based upon regulation and statute that is below the actual costs for ambulance transport to  
the hospital.  
San Diego County Fire (County Fire), on behalf of the ASA, recently conducted a review of fees  
to ensure compliance with Board of Supervisors Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue  
Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery (Board Policy B-29), which requires  
County departments to recover the costs to provide services to agencies or individuals. As a  
result, County Fire is proposing actions that support the cost of providing services, while  
ensuring fair and equitable fee levels for the public. After reviewing the current fees and rates,  
County Fire staff is proposing to increase three fees and decrease one fee. The Auditor and  
Controller reviewed and approved the supporting documentation and the methodology for  
establishing the fees in this proposal for FY 2026-27.  
The proposed ambulance transport user fee received support from the SDCFPD Fire Advisory  
Board and would be consistent with County Service Area 17’s proposed fees, which is another  
ambulance service that is managed by County Fire. In the ASA, the average collection rate on  
fees assessed is about 28% due to various reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medi-Cal,  
commercial insurance, and patient private pay. Since 100% of the fees assessed on ambulance  
transports are not collected, full cost recovery for services will not be achieved in FY 26-27 and  
a waiver of Board Policy B-29 is being requested. The proposed fees in the ASA have a 5%  
escalator through FY 28-29, to align with the annual increase in contract costs that support the  
operations of the ASA.  
Today’s action requests that the SDCFPD Board of Directors approve amendments to Article  
XX of the San Diego County Administrative Code to fees charged for services by the SDCFPD  
ASA.  
RECOMMENDATION(S)  
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  
On May 5, 2026:  
1. Approve the introduction of the Ordinance (first reading):  
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XX OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY  
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCE CODE, RELATING TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY  
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE AREA  
CHARGES AND FEES  
2. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts - Department  
Responsibility for Cost Recovery which requires full cost recovery for services.  
If, on May 5, 2026, the SDCFPD Board takes action as recommended, then on May 19, 2026:  
1. Consider and adopt (unless ordinance is modified on second reading):  
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XX OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY  
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, RELATING TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE  
PROTECTION DISTRICT GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE AREA CHARGES  
AND FEES  
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT  
Advanced (Paramedic) and Basic (Emergency Medical Technician) Life Support ambulances are  
critical components to an emergency medical services system that seeks to reduce health  
disparities in our region. San Diego County Fire, on behalf of the San Diego County Fire  
Protection District, worked with outside consultants to establish a service plan and quality  
assurance measures to meet the minimum requirements for residents in rural communities.  
Updating the fee schedule will have minimum impacts to our lowest-income and most  
vulnerable residents.  
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT  
The proposed action to update the ambulance transportation fees in the San Diego County Fire  
Protection District supports efforts for County programs, operations, and contracts that reflect  
the values and priorities, including equitable service delivery, to residents in our region. The  
proposed fee increase protects our lowest-income residents while promoting an equitable  
emergency medical services program that is closer to full cost recovery to operate the system.  
FISCAL IMPACT  
There is no fiscal impact in the current fiscal year. If approved, this request will result in an  
estimated increase in revenue of $0.85 million in the ASA in Fiscal Year 2026-27. Costs and  
revenue for this request will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-28 CAO Recommended  
Operational Plan for the ASA. The funding source is fees paid by entities or individuals for  
services.  
A waiver of Board of Supervisor Policy B-29: Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department  
Responsibility for Cost Recovery is requested because the proposed fees will not cover the  
current operating costs for services in the ASA. The unrecovered cost, estimated at $10.0  
million, will be funded with existing General Purpose Revenue and property tax revenue. There  
is no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.  
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT  
N/A  
2.  
SUBJECT:  
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:  
ANNUAL FIRE MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM RESOLUTIONS  
AUTHORIZING CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AND ADOPTION OF  
A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (DISTRICTS: ALL)  
OVERVIEW  
The County of San Diego created the Fire Mitigation Fee (FMF) program following the adoption  
of an ordinance by the County Board of Supervisors on December 11, 1985 (11). The purpose of  
the program is to collect and allocate funds to participating fire agencies in the unincorporated  
area of San Diego County, including the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD),  
for facility and equipment improvements to serve new development. In addition to SDCFPD, the  
program allows other fire agencies, lacking legal authority to directly impose and collect  
mitigation fees, to provide long-term capital facilities and equipment for fire suppression or  
emergency medical services, including station construction, station expansion or improvements,  
and fire or emergency medical apparatus to serve new development in their districts.  
To participate in the FMF Program, SDCFPD must adopt two resolutions on an annual basis to  
authorize continued participation and identify the percentage of the maximum fee for collection  
and adopt a Capital Improvement Plan identifying the future use of FMF revenue. The SDCFPD  
Capital Improvement Plan proposes to allocate FMF revenues to support fire facility projects  
identified in the Capital Improvement Needs Assessment (CINA) and fire service vehicles in  
accordance with the County Fire Fleet Plan. The proposed Fire Mitigation Fee Program Fee  
schedule reflects the Los Angeles Construction Cost Index annual cost escalator of 3.6% for  
Fiscal Year 2026-27 in accordance with the County’s FMF Ordinance (SEC. 810.301).  
Today’s actions request approval of the annual Participation and Capital Improvement Plan  
Resolutions to allow the SDCFPD to continue to receive mitigation fees to support new  
development in the district.  
RECOMMENDATION(S)  
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  
1. Adopt the Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE  
IN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO FIRE MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM FOR  
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27  
2. Adopt the Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO ADOPT A  
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE USE OF FIRE MITIGATION FEE  
REVENUE  
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT  
The San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) serves an under resourced and  
geographically diverse portion of the County’s unincorporated area where many communities  
experience limited access to critical public safety infrastructure. These areas are designated as  
high or very high fire hazard severity zones and include populations that are at risk, low income  
or socially vulnerable. Revenue collected through the Fire Mitigation Fee program is critical to  
maintaining equitable service delivery by providing funding for capital improvement  
investments, including fire stations and equipment, to support growing communities and  
increased demands for services in the SDCFPD. These investments directly enhance response  
capabilities and service delivery to ensure residents receive fire protection and emergency  
medical services that are equitable to those provided by incorporated city departments.  
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT  
The proposed actions in today’s request support the County of San Diego’s Sustainability goals  
to provide just and equitable access to services by ensuring communities across the SDCFPD  
can address future needs for fire protection and emergency medical services.  
FISCAL IMPACT  
If approved, the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) will continue to  
participate in the County’s Fire Mitigation Fee (FMF) Program and will use funds collected for  
capital improvement projects and equipment purchases within the boundaries of the SDCFPD. In  
Fiscal Year 2026-27, the FMF program is anticipated to generate approximately $2,000,000 in  
revenue. Costs for equipment purchases and facility improvements will be included as needed in  
future Operational Plans for San Diego County Fire. There will be no change in net General  
Fund cost and no additional staff years will be required.  
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT  
N/A