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Board approves interim governance steps for three Solano County fire districts, delegates emergency authorities
Summary
The board approved a package of measures to align operations for the Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts ahead of consolidation: a supplemental policy document, delegation to appoint an interim district administrator, emergency purchasing authority, a 14-day work period resolution and a series of audits. Vote was 4-1.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a set of measures on Tuesday to align policy and operations for the Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts as officials pursue consolidation and unified command.
Actions include approval of a supplemental policy document to standardize purchasing thresholds, training and grant applications across the three districts; delegation to the county administrator (designated as interim district administrator in the board motion) to appoint interim chiefs; authority for the administrator to approve emergency purchases up to $250,000; adoption of a 14-day work period for FLSA purposes; and initiation of an annual audit process for the districts' fiscal years. The board voted 4-1 on the package, with Supervisor Williams opposed.
Nancy Nelson, a senior management analyst in the county administrator's office, told the board the supplemental policy is intended "to align policies between the 3 districts as they work toward consolidation and a unified command." She said the measures are temporary administrative steps designed to improve continuity of operations while the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) application for consolidation proceeds.
Chiefs and interim chiefs from the three districts described recent cooperation on vegetation management, fuel reduction and public-education projects and presented call-volume data. Chief Abruzzini, Chief O'Connor and Interim Chief Dave Kuntz all reviewed their districts' fire-prevention work and training, and detailed recent responses and permits issued.
The board also authorized the initiation of annual audits (rather than previous biannual cycles) to increase transparency and review financial health. Chief Abruzzini said audits will be completed by Oct. 31 each year and submitted to the county auditor-controller.
Supervisor Williams said she supported many elements of the plan but opposed the blanket delegation to the county administrator without a clearer, competitive or public interview process for any permanent chief post; she voted no on the overall package. Chair Mashburn and Supervisor Vasquez, who will serve on an ad hoc oversight committee the chair established after the vote, said the delegation was intended to provide continuity during the summer wildfire season and to allow the districts to move quickly on staffing and emergency purchases. The board earlier approved seasonal wildfire staffing for the districts through November.
The board approved the package with direction to staff to proceed with LAFCO application steps, finalize the supplemental policy document and coordinate audits and procurement details with the county auditor and county counsel.
