Title
a. Approve the North County Fire Prevention District proposed assessment on thirty-five (35) County owned parcels located in North Monterey County, totaling and estimated $2,000 per year; and
b. Authorize the Assistant County Administrative Officer or designee to sign the North County Fire Prevention Districts ballots concerning’s the thirty-five (35) County owned parcels indicating approval of the assessment.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the North County Fire Prevention District proposed assessment on thirty-five (35) County owned parcels located in North Monterey County, totaling and estimated $2,000 per year; and
b. Authorize the Assistant County Administrative Officer or designee to sign the North County Fire Prevention Districts ballots concerning’s the thirty-five (35) County owned parcels indicating approval of the assessment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) currently covers 125 square miles and serves more than 42,000 people in the communities of Castroville, Elkorn, Las Lomas, Moss landing, Oak Hills, Pajaro, Prunedale, and Royal Oaks. With voter approval of the proposed assessment, NCFPD would enhance its ability to provide the highest level of service to protect the lives, property, and environment of the North County communities, by providing prompt and professional services in the event of fire, medical emergency, rescue, environmental disaster, or any other event which threatens public welfare.
The County is the property owner of thirty-five (35) parcels located in North County as identified in Attachment A. Public Works, Facilities and Parks staff has reviewed the NCFPD Engineer’s Report (Attachment B) outlining the need for the proposed assessment and has no objections.
The proposed assessment complies with Proposition 218, The Right to Vote on Taxes Act, which was approved by the voters of California on November 6, 1996, and is now Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution. Proposition 218 provides for benefit assessments to be levied to fund the cost of providing services, improvements, as well as maintenance and operation expenses of a public improvement that provide a special benefit to the assessed property. Proposition 218 imposes a number of important requirements, including property-owner balloting, for the formation and continuation of assessments, and these requirements are satisfied by the process used to establish this assessment.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Public Works, Facilities and Parks developed the report detailing the thirty-five (35) County owned parcels subject to the NCFPD proposed assessments and provided review of the NCFPD Engineer’s Report.
FINANCING:
If approved, the proposed estimated $2,000 annual NCFPD assessments will be included in the county wide County owned parcel assessments paid annually by the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Fiscal Section.
CEQA:
The approval of the NCFPD assessments on thirty-five County owned parcels is not a project for purposes of CEQA.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Approval of the proposed North County Fire Prevention District aligns with the Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors for Health and Human Services and Public Safety.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
X Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
X Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Dated: June 10, 2021
Prepared by: George Salcido, Real Property Specialist
______________________________
Approved by: Leslie J. Girard, County Counsel
Attachments: Attachment A - Report detailing NCFPD proposed assessment on thirty-five (35) County owned parcels in North County
Attachment B - NCFPD Engineer’s Report dated February 2021 produced by SCI Consulting