DATE: June 10, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: FY 2025-26 Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement with Cal Fire
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a reimbursement Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to keep four fire stations open in the foothill and mountain areas on the east side of Fresno County for structural fire protection and other emergency response services, from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, total not to exceed $1,538,544; and
2. Direct the County Administrative Officer, or their designee, to provide written notice to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirming the County will extend or enter into a new fire protection reimbursement agreement for FY 2026-27 with at least the same level of services as the FY 2025-26 recommended Agreement.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The first recommended action will approve the FY 2025-26 fire protection reimbursement agreement (Amador Plan) with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), to provide funding to keep the Yokuts Valley, Piedra, Blasingame, and Shaver Lake fire stations open during the winter months when Cal Fire would normally close these stations at the end of the fire season. This item pertains to locations in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may consider funding a different number of fire stations to be staffed outside of the fire season or change the level of service for FY 2026-27. Should your Board direct staff to return with alternative options for future fiscal years, the County Administrative Officer, or their designee, should also be directed to notify Cal Fire, as stipulated in the recommended Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Expenditures will be based on actual costs incurred by Cal Fire outside of the fire season, total not to exceed $1,538,544. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Interest and Miscellaneous Expenditures Org 2540 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Since 1982, the County has entered into annual agreements with Cal Fire for services under the Amador Plan. The recommended Agreement provides for structural fire protection and other emergency response services in foothill and mountain areas on the east side of the County. While the recommended Agreement will cover all of FY 2025-26, the service period is for those months outside of the fire season, which typically ends in the late fall and picks up again sometime between early and late spring. During this time, Cal Fire has historically operated the fire stations located in Yokuts Valley, Piedra, Blasingame, Shaver Lake, and Hurley, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Since FY 2011-12, the Fresno County Fire Protection District absorbed the Hurley station, leaving Cal Fire to cover the Yokuts Valley, Piedra, Blasingame, and Shaver Lake stations under the Amador Plan.
On October 8, 2013, staff presented the Board with options for continued funding of four fire stations or reducing the County-funded stations from four to three. At that time, the Board voted to continue funding four fire stations.
On August 6, 2024, the Board approved a retroactive agreement with Cal Fire to continue funding the Amador Plan in FY 2024-25 with a maximum compensation of $1,306,821.
The recommended Agreement reimburses Cal Fire for personnel, equipment, and operating costs connected with staffing these four stations outside of the fire season, when those stations would otherwise be closed. Historically, the projected end of the non-fire season has been sufficiently close that Cal Fire has submitted the fourth quarter billing as a final billing, as all costs associated with the Amador Plan have been identified. However, the recommended Agreement provides that for the last quarter of the fiscal year, Cal Fire will invoice the County for the “estimated” cost of services on or after March 1. A reconciliation invoice will then be prepared and submitted to the County by October 1.
Under the recommended Agreement, the County is required to notify Cal Fire one year in advance of whether it will extend or enter into a new agreement for the next fiscal year, or whether the County wishes to change the level of service provided in that fiscal year. If the County fails to provide this notice, Cal Fire has the option to extend the agreement for up to one year and continue providing services at the same or reduced level as it determines would be appropriate during the extended term. If the second recommended action is approved, the County Administrative Officer, or their designee, will provide written notice to Cal Fire communicating your Board’s decision. Based on current information, staff recommends continuing the current level of services in FY 2026-27.
The recommended Agreement deviates from the County’s standard agreement language as it contains a mutual indemnification provision, which is common in agreements with other governmental entities. Also, payment on all quarterly invoices is due within 30 days of receiving the invoice, instead of the County’s standard payment term of 45 days.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #31, August 6, 2024
BAI #6, October 8, 2013
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Cal Fire
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals