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Council approves ordinance letting Lake County Fire District collect fire mitigation fees
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Summary
Clear Lake City Council adopted Ordinance No. 282‑2025 to amend city code so the Lake County Fire Protection District may collect fire mitigation impact fees and retain a 2% administrative fee.
Clear Lake — The City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 21 to approve Ordinance No. 282‑2025, amending Section 3‑5.6 of the Clear Lake Municipal Code to clarify that the Lake County Fire Protection District will collect residential and development fire mitigation impact fees.
Staff said the change responds to a request from fire chiefs who asked that the district rather than the city collect the fees. City Manager Alan Flora told the council he reviewed the language with the district chief, who supported the amendment, and noted the ordinance clarifies that the district would be allowed access to the 2 percent administrative fee previously directed by the council.
Resident Margaret Garcia offered public support during the hearing, saying the change “makes perfect sense” and expressing concern that alternative arrangements would divert funds.
Council Member Jessica Downey moved to approve Ordinance No. 282‑2025; Vice Mayor Slotin seconded the motion. The council’s recorded vote was unanimous.
Why it matters: The amendment shifts collection responsibility to the local fire district, ensuring funds intended for fire mitigation go to the agency charged with those services. The ordinance implements a policy direction the council discussed at a prior meeting and codifies administrative fee access for the district.
Ending note: City staff said they had consulted with district staff during drafting and were prepared to implement the administrative changes after the ordinance adoption.
