Board approves interim governance, purchasing authority and audits for three county fire districts amid consolidation planning

The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to approve a package of administrative and policy steps for the Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts as the county advances a reorganization and consolidation plan.

Staff told the board the supplemental policy document aligns policies across the three dependent districts to ease transition toward unified command, and the board delegated limited authorities to accelerate operations during the reorganization. The board authorized the county administrator — titled in the board action as interim district administrator for the three districts — to appoint interim fire chiefs, to approve emergency purchases up to $250,000, and to concur on personnel decisions. The board also adopted resolutions to set a 14‑day work period and to initiate audits of district financial statements for recent fiscal years. Vacaville’s previously completed audits were clarified and only missing years will be included.

The items were framed as temporary measures to preserve continuity of operations during the LAFCO-led consolidation process. Nancy Nelson, senior management analyst in the county administrator’s office, told the board that the supplemental policy covers purchasing thresholds, impact fee alignment, grant applications and training standardization.

Chiefs from the three districts described ongoing cooperation. Chief Abruzzini (Suisun), Chief O’Connor (Montezuma) and Interim Chief Dave Kuntz (Vacaville) told the board they have been meeting weekly to integrate response matrices, standardize equipment and combine administrative functions such as records, telephone and reporting systems.

Public comment at length underscored local sensitivity: residents from Pleasant Valley and other unincorporated areas urged the board not to reduce staffing or close small rural stations, citing medical emergencies and longer response distances. Several speakers asked that any reorganization preserve rural coverage and that the board form a community oversight or advisory panel. Supervisors and staff acknowledged those concerns and said operational details — including station postings and staffing patterns — would be resolved through the plan of service, budget, LAFCO review and subsequent board action.

Supervisor Mitchell Williams cast the lone dissenting vote and asked that appointment of interim leadership and other personnel matters be handled through a transparent panel and interview process rather than delegated. Chair William Mashburn and Supervisor John Vasquez said the county administrator would follow a process comparable to other department head appointments, including use of experts and HR support, and that a later permanent hiring process would return to the full board.

The board also created an ad hoc oversight group — chairs Mashburn and Vasquez — to work with staff and the districts while the county pursues the consolidation application with the Local Agency Formation Commission. The board’s actions are intended to be temporary and subject to further review as integration work proceeds.