Ventura County supervisors adopt mountain‑fire fee waivers, back Thousand Oaks for East County Family Justice Center, receive ambulance procurement plan and OKs

Ventura County supervisors on Dec. 17 approved a suite of immediate financial and permitting measures for people who lost homes and structures in the mountain fire, received a recommendation to place a new East County Family Justice Center in Thousand Oaks, heard a revised draft of a countywide competitive request‑for‑proposals (RFP) to select an exclusive ambulance provider, and approved several land‑use and housing‑code changes.

The board voted unanimously to adopt resolutions waiving Resource Management Agency, Building & Safety, Public Works and Fire Protection District fees for structures damaged or destroyed in the mountain fire, and directed agencies to prioritize and streamline plan review for rebuilding. Resource Management Agency Deputy Director Jennifer Roscoe told the board the fee waivers would be in place through the end of 2026 and that staff expected the first wave of rebuilding impacts on agency revenue in the 2025–26 fiscal year. She estimated the total value of the fee waivers at roughly $4.9 million and said staff will work with the CEO’s office on any necessary mid‑year adjustments.

Why it matters: County staff emphasized the waivers both reduce up‑front costs for survivors and allow staff to focus on fast, coordinated plan review. The board and county agencies also stressed that the waivers are focused on property owners who held title at the time of the fire, not on later buyers.

Ventura County Community Foundation: the board also paused for a proclamation and a public recognition of the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) for relief work after the mountain fire. VCCF CEO Vanessa Bechtel and board members described $950,000 raised so far and grants already distributed to immediate needs such as temporary housing, vet bills, and emergency supports. AT&T presented a $50,000 donation and the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley contributed a $5,000 gift during the board’s recognition of the foundation’s relief work.

Family Justice Center regionalization — Thousand Oaks recommended: The board received and filed a staff presentation and recommendation from District Attorney Eric Nacerenco to locate the third Family Justice Center serving East County in Thousand Oaks. The DA’s office, which led the regional planning effort, cited call‑for‑service data showing higher domestic‑violence and child‑abuse call volumes in the Thousand Oaks area than in Simi Valley, along with the city of Thousand Oaks’ commitment of $2 million and Simi Valley’s $1 million pledge to cost‑share a facility purchase. The board voted to receive the report; staff will return with property acquisition recommendations at a later meeting.

Why it matters: The Family Justice Center network provides coordinated on‑site services — restraining‑order assistance, forensic interviews, and wraparound support — and the DA’s office said siting a center in Thousand Oaks will shorten travel times for East County survivors and expand access to services near hospitals and transit.

Ambulance services: county releases revised draft RFP and presentation on next steps: The board heard a detailed presentation on a revised draft RFP that would competitively select a single, countywide exclusive emergency ground ambulance provider and set new performance expectations. The RFP draft, prepared with independent consultants following board direction earlier this year, recommends ten county sub‑zones (up from the present seven), retention of 90% response‑time standards, tighter limits on “overload” exemptions that have been widely used in recent years, stronger clinical‑quality oversight and an audited, transparent financial reporting requirement for the winning bidder.

Key operational points presented by consultant Bill Bullard and county staff: - The RFP seeks to balance response speed with measurable improvements in clinical care (for example, stroke and cardiac care on scene and in handoff). - The draft shifts from many localized overload exemptions to a countywide, much narrower definition. Staff said the change should reduce exemption claims from many hundreds to roughly 200 events based on recent 911 volumes. - The county intends to contract for five years with an optional five‑year extension (total potential term 10 years), and the selected provider would be subject to liquidated damages for systemic service failures. - Selection will be a formal scored RFP process; the county’s procurement office and the consultant outlined next steps and proposed the makeup of an evaluation panel. The board was told the state EMS authority requires an objective, scored process and historically will expect the highest‑scoring proposer to be recommended for award.

Board direction and timing: Supervisors asked staff for more time to review the draft. County staff told the board it will return with a final RFP after the board and stakeholders have had additional time to comment; an item to extend the current provider’s agreement for a limited period will come to the board early next year to ensure continuous coverage while the competitive process proceeds.

Housing, zoning, and special‑needs housing changes: the board adopted a package of non‑coastal and coastal zoning ordinance amendments implementing Housing Element programs on density bonuses and special‑needs housing. The zoning updates incorporate state density‑bonus law by reference, add definitions and standards for emergency shelters and low‑barrier navigation centers, clarify rules for transitional and supportive housing, and add reasonable‑accommodation procedures for disability‑related requests. Planning staff said the changes are primarily to align county rules with state law and to make rules more usable; the coastal ordinance changes will be submitted to the California Coastal Commission for certification.

Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) matters: the board approved five new 2024 Land Conservation Act contracts (private agricultural parcels in Santa Paula, Oxnard, Camarillo and Somis) and also adopted guideline changes allowing certain open‑space‑zoned parcels to enter the Williamson Act where they meet defined agricultural utilization thresholds (for example, 75–80% utilization for smaller parcels). County planning and the Agricultural Commissioner told the board the goal is to allow qualified agricultural operations on open‑space land to join the LCA program while protecting general‑fund revenues; staff analysis showed a potential general‑fund impact depending on how many acres enroll.

Labor and personnel votes and other items: the board approved a successor memorandum of agreement with SEIU Local 2015 covering In‑Home Supportive Services providers, adopted classification and compensation changes required to implement the state’s new health‑care minimum wage statutes for county employees who work in health care programs, and confirmed several board appointments and reappointments to advisory boards and commissions.

What the board did not decide today: staff will return with (a) a final ambulance RFP for board direction and (b) acquisition recommendations for the East County Family Justice Center site in Thousand Oaks. County staff told the board they will also provide more detailed timelines and a recommended structure for RFP evaluation and post‑award oversight.

Ending: The board closed the meeting by appointing Dr. Uldine Castell to the county health officer position in closed session; a public announcement followed the closed session.

Votes at a glance (selected actions taken Dec. 17, 2024) - Item 50 — Adopt resolutions to waive certain Resource Management Agency, building and safety, environmental health, public works (land development services and roads & transportation) and fire protection district fees for structures damaged or destroyed in the mountain fire. Motion: moved by Supervisor Gurrell; seconded by Supervisor LaViere; outcome: approved (unanimous). Notes: staff estimated up to $4.9 million in foregone permit revenue; waivers extend to Dec. 31, 2026 and apply to property owners holding title at time of fire. - Item 51 — Presentation and proclamation recognizing Ventura County Community Foundation for mountain‑fire relief; donations accepted at the presentation (VCCF reported $950,000 raised; AT&T $50,000; Islamic Center $5,000). Action: recognized; no vote required. - Item 52 — Receive and file: East County Family Justice Center selection process and development update (District Attorney recommendation to site the center in Thousand Oaks, pending property acquisition). Action: received and filed (unanimous). - Item 56 — Approve successor memorandum of agreement (MOA) with SEIU Local 2015 covering IHSS providers (multi‑year wage increases and training funds). Motion: moved by Supervisor Parvin; seconded by Supervisor Lopez; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Item 57 — Land Conservation Act contracts (5 new contracts): approved. Motion: moved by Supervisor Parvin; seconded by Supervisor LaViere; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Item 58 — Amendments to LCA guidelines to allow certain open‑space‑zoned parcels to qualify for Williamson Act contracts (with utilization thresholds and program oversight): approved (unanimous). - Items 60/61/62 — Zoning and general plan updates to implement Housing Element programs (density bonus by reference, emergency shelters, low‑barrier navigation centers, transitional/supportive housing, reasonable accommodations); approved (unanimous). Coastal changes submitted to CCC for certification where required. - Item 63 — Revised draft RFP for exclusive emergency ground ambulance transport: presentation received; board directed staff to return with final RFP after additional review; staff to seek competitive procurement and will present a contract extension while procurement proceeds. - Personnel, classification and other consent items: the board approved multiple administrative and classification changes (including SB‑525 minimum‑wage adjustments for health‑care employees), routine minutes, and a set of appointments/reappointments to advisory boards and commissions.

Selected proper names mentioned in this article: Ventura County Community Foundation; Ventura County Resource Management Agency; Ventura County Fire Department; AT&T; Conejo Valley Islamic Center; Ventura County District Attorney’s Office; Ventura County Office of Education; Ventura County Air Pollution Control District; Ventura County Community College; Ventura County Community Action; VCMC (Ventura County Medical Center); City of Thousand Oaks; Simi Valley; AMR (current private ambulance operator, referenced by commenters); SEIU Local 2015; Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

Sources and transcript evidence: the board’s presentation and votes are recorded in the official meeting transcript and support the items above. Select evidence spans: the mountain‑fire fee waiver presentation began with the Resource Management Agency at 2024‑12‑17 11:27:55 (Rob Mullane opening remarks) and the board’s adoption was recorded at 2024‑12‑17 12:54:43 when the clerk announced the motion had passed unanimously. The ambulance RFP presentation and public comment took place in the afternoon; the board asked staff to return with a final timetable for procurement and a contract extension item for early 2025. The Family Justice Center presentation and motion to receive the report occurred earlier in the morning; the DA’s office recommended Thousand Oaks based on call‑for‑service data and local city commitments.

If you want documents: the county has posted the revised ambulance RFP draft, the Resource Management Agency board letter on fee waivers, and the Family Justice Center regional plan to the board packet for Dec. 17 (see ventura.org/boardofsupervisors and the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting packet).