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ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT WITH EASTSIDE RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO ENHANCE STAFFING AT FIRE STATION 12, ADDING THREE FIREFIGHTERS.
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve an amendment with Eastside Rural Fire Protection District to enhance staffing at Fire Station 12, adding one (1) additional Firefighter on each shift for a total of three (3) new positions.
2. Authorize the allocation of three (3) Eastside-funded firefighter positions, increasing the Fire Department’s total number of authorized full-time Firefighter positions.
3. Authorize the City Manager to establish revenue estimates and corresponding budget appropriations associated to this Third Amendment in General Fund Fire Department accounts in FY2022-23.
4. Authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The City provides fire protection and related emergency response services to residents in four Rural Fire Protection Districts (unincorporated areas adjacent to or surrounded by City boundaries), namely the Lincoln, Eastside, Tuxedo/County Club, and Boggs Tract Rural Fire Protection Districts. These Districts pay for costs incurred by the City for providing services annually. To enhance emergency response capacity, Eastside Rural Fire Protection District (“Eastside”) requested the City increase staffing with three (3) additional Firefighters at Station 12, located at 4010 East Main Street. If approved by Council, Eastside will pay for the added cost of the three (3) firefighters, including annual salary, benefit costs, backfill and overtime costs, insurance costs, academy training, and materials.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Stockton has agreements with four (4) Rural Fire Protection Districts: Lincoln, Eastside, Tuxedo-Country Club, and Boggs Tract, by which the City provides full Fire Department services to the residents in these unincorporated areas. A map showing the location of these four (4) Districts, and the locations of the Stockton fire stations, is attached (Attachment A).
Initially, District payments to the City were determined by dividing the Fire Department budget by the combined assessed values of the City, and the District, and then multiplying that rate by the District’s assessed value. Over time, differences of opinion developed in interpreting what should be included as part of the budget as well as in interpreting Gross Taxable Property Value. For example, the City billed the Districts based on the adopted Fire Department budget in lieu of the department's actual costs. Moreover, in some years, the City excluded from Gross Taxable Property Value the incremental increases in property values following those properties being placed in a redevelopment area, thereby increasing the cost of Fire Department services to the Districts.
On December 13, 2011, City Council adopted Resolution No. 11-0328 to amend the District Agreements and update the payment to the City. The amendment required the City to provide each District with audited financial statements reflecting the actual costs of fire protection services provided by the City to the Districts at the end of each fiscal year. When the initial amount paid by a District for the fiscal year exceeds SFD’s total actual costs for the year, a credit is applied to the District. If the total actual costs exceed the amount paid by a District, the District is required to make a supplemental payment to the City no later than the beginning of the second quarter of the subsequent year.
Present Situation
The Eastside Rural Fire Protection District is serviced by Engine 12. Engine 12 is currently staffed with one (1) Captain, one (1) Engineer, and one (1) Firefighter for each shift. The number of residents within the Eastside district has increased an estimated 8.5% over the last twelve years. Eastside’s population growth has contributed to a steady increase in emergency call volume for Engine 12. Between 2018 and 2021, Engine 12’s annual emergency call volume increased from 3,551 calls to 4,903 calls (38% increase). Over the first seven (7) months of 2022, call volume exceeded 3,400 calls. SFD projects Engine 12’s emergency calls to exceed 5,800 calls for the year.
To address the need for additional fire and emergency medical response capacity, Eastside has requested SFD staff an additional three (3) firefighters at Station 12, increasing daily staffing from three (3) to four (4) firefighters for each shift. If approved by Council, Eastside will be responsible for all costs incurred by the City to hire, train, equip, and employ the three (3) additional Firefighters. Eastside will continue to pay for the added costs until the City or District terminates the agreement. Should Eastside terminate the agreement, the termination date will be effective on the first June 30, which is at least one year from the Notice of Intent to Terminate. The minimum twelve-month termination period will allow the City to absorb the eliminated positions into the Fire Department budget via vacancies caused by employee attrition. SFD does not anticipate any issues absorbing the eliminated positions as fifty-nine (59) Firefighters will become eligible to retire over the next five (5) years. However, if the agreement is terminated and SFD does not have the capacity to absorb the eliminated positions, three (3) Firefighters will be laid off in accordance with the City’s standard process.
If approved by Council, the obligation to increase staff at Station 12 will accrue at the conclusion of the first City firefighter training academy held after the date the Amendment is executed (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Eastside Rural Fire District will be billed by the City for the payroll costs of three (3) new firefighters including base salary, FLSA pay, benefits, COLA increases and associated backfill overtime costs each fiscal year. Eastside will also pay a one-time cost of $53,250 for the initial training, certification, and materials for the three (3) additional firefighters. This proposed amendment has no additional cost to the City.
Table 1 illustrates the amended Agreement’s projected costs over a five-year period. The projection assumes a Fire Academy training beginning February 1, 2023.
Table 1.
|
Annual Cost (Est.) |
FY 22-23 |
FY 23-24 |
FY 24-25 |
FY 25-26 |
FY 26-27 |
FY 27-28 |
5-Year Total |
|
Fourth Firefighter |
$173,766 |
$506,984 |
$536,791 |
$600,306 |
$672,811 |
$449,950 |
$2,940,609 |
|
Recruitment/Training |
$53,250 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
$53,250 |
|
Backfill OT for Annual/Sick Leave |
- |
$52,931 |
$63,564 |
$68,137 |
$72,310 |
$44,834 |
$301,777 |
|
Total |
$227,016 |
$559,915 |
$600,355 |
$668,443 |
$745,121 |
$494,784 |
$3,295,636 |
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the allocation of three (3) new Firefighter positions; and, to establish revenue estimates and corresponding budget appropriations in General Fund Fire Department Suppression Division 4020 in FY2022-23.
Appropriations associated to this amendment for future fiscal years will be incorporated in Fire Department’s annual budget.
Attachment A - Fire Department Map
Attachment B - Eastside Rural Fire District - Executed Agreement & Amendments