Title
2026 North County Fire Protection District Impact Fees
Public hearing to consider adopting a resolution concurring in and ratifying the findings of the North County Fire Protection District; Adopting the North County Fire Protection District Impact Fees in accordance with Monterey County Code 10.80.100F
Proposed California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Action: Statutorily Exempt per CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution
a. Concurring in and ratifying the findings of the North County Fire Protection District; and
b. Adopting the North County Fire Protection District Impact Fees in accordance with Monterey County Code 10.80.100F
SUMMARY:
Monterey County Code (MCC) Chapter 10.80 establishes provisions for assessing and collecting fire mitigation fees. The North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) Board (District Board) requests to adopt an updated Fire Impact Fee program to ensure that new development funds are a proportionate share of necessary expansions to fire protection facilities, apparatus, and equipment, thereby preventing deterioration of the NCFPD’s existing level of service.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with MCC 10.80.110, the Fire Impact Fees for any District shall be collected prior to the issuance of any building permit, held in trust by the County, and transferred at least quarterly to the Fire District serving the area from which the fees were collected. Housing and Community Development (HCD) has been providing this service to the various Fire Districts for a number of years. To continue this practice, HCD is bringing the NCFPD’s Fire Impact Fee Nexus Study and Resolution to the County Board for final approval.
Monterey County Code Section 10.80 establishes fire mitigation fees and a fee ceiling, with adjustments subject to approval by the County Board of Supervisors (County Board) upon demonstration of cost justification and requires that any increase in such fees be supported by a Nexus Study, subjected to a public hearing, and adopted through a formal resolution process in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act.
The District Board received the Nexus Study conducted by SCI Consulting Group at a properly noticed public hearing as part of the District Board's regularly scheduled March 18, 2025, meeting. The District Board approved the Fire Impact Fee program and Fire Impact Fees proposed in the Nexus Study for the purposes of funding the cost of fire protection and emergency response facilities, apparatus, and equipment attributable to new residential and nonresidential development in the NCFPD pursuant to the County Board Resolution. The attached District Board’s Resolution 25-6-3 contains the proposed fees and all findings required under MCC 10.80.090 to allow their adoption.
FINANCING:
The staff time to bring the update to the NCFPD Fire Impact Fees to the Board of Supervisors is funded as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, Unit 8543, Appropriation Unit HCD002. This Board action will not result in any impacts to the County’s General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The requested actions support the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan goals by promoting fiscal responsibility and efficient, effective County operations while offering excellent customer service to the public.
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X__ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Karen Riley-Olms, HCD Management Analyst II x5132
Approved by: Craig Spencer, HCD Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Draft Resolution
Attachment B - NCFPD Fire Impact Nexus Study
Attachment C - NCFPD Adopted Resolution
cc: HCD Permit Center: Elizabeth Gonzalez and Elizabeth Ruiz; HCD Building Services: Joshua Bowling and Evan Nuckles; HCD Director: Craig Spencer; NCFPD Joel Mendoza and Jess Cortez