Solano supervisors vote to act as boards for three rural fire districts to advance consolidation

The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 11 to appoint the board as the interim board of directors for the Suisun, Montezuma and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts, a step staff said is intended to accelerate a long-standing consolidation effort and enable a coordinated plan of service, fiscal analysis and staffing model.

Nancy Nelson, senior management analyst, summarized more than two decades of study and local reports recommending consolidation: "Six of these seven reports concluded with a recommendation to consolidate fire protection," she said, referencing grand jury and LAFCO studies. Staff said next steps would include returning with an MOU for interim operations, a plan of service, staffing and fiscal analyses and resolutions of application to LAFCO for eventual reorganization.

Supporters and opponents spoke during public comment. Chris Calvert, chair of the Vacaville Fire Protection District board, told supervisors the Vacaville board supports moving forward: "Our district has has been supportive of of a consolidation," he said. Several residents from the north county, including Christine Reiter and Reveille Hemken, urged the board to protect local resources and ensure that new governance will preserve existing response levels in high-risk areas. Reiter asked, "How will Vacaville Fire Protection District's budget be impacted? Will taxpayer money be taken from the Vacaville district community and be used in other districts?"

Board members said the change does not reflect a desire to take away local services but to achieve efficiencies, standardize training and funding, and improve countywide capacity for wildfire response. Supervisor Mashburn said the move gives unincorporated residents "a voice they've always needed," because the board is accountable to voters. Supervisor Williams recommended creating an advisory board after consolidation so local expertise and community concerns continue to be heard.

Action: The board voted 5-0 to adopt resolutions appointing itself as the board of directors for the three named fire districts and to authorize staff to develop interim MOUs and LAFCO application materials. Supervisor Mashburn made the motion; it was seconded and passed 5-0.

Ending: Staff will return with the MOU, plan of service, staffing model and fiscal analysis; the board said it will pursue a public process with LAFCO and district stakeholders before any final reorganization.