AGENDA DATE: 6/3/2015
TITLE:
Title
Discussion of Fire Rescue System, Fire Rescue Services Fund and New Pantops Station
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Work session to include an Overview of the Development of the County's Fire Rescue System and Discussion of the Proposed New Pantops Fire Rescue Station
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Eggleston, Foley, Letteri, Davis, L. Allshouse
PRESENTER (S): Walker, Eggleston, L. Allshouse
LEGAL REVIEW: No
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: During the most recent budget process, Board members raised several questions regarding the Pantops Fire Rescue Station recommended in FY16 Capital Budget. In addition to the timing of the capital investment and its impacts on the capital budget, questions arose about future operating costs associated with staffing the new station for both fire and EMS services. Questions have also been raised about the County-City Fire Contract and opportunities for continued collaboration to meet emergency response needs in that area of the County. It was agreed that the Board and staff would dedicate time in a work session format to follow up on these questions, concerns and issues with expectation that the Board would then be better informed and able to provide direction regarding the Pantops facility.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future challenges and improves the capacity to serve community needs. Operational Capacity: Ensure County government's ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: As part of this work session, staff will first frame the issue by providing a broad overview of the development of the Fire Rescue System, highlighting implementation of a plan to improve service through the investments in facilities and personnel (career and volunteer). Staff will then discuss specifically the identified need for a fire rescue facility in the Pantops area with reference to consistency with the Comprehensive Plan strategy to provide services in the development areas and in response to changing demographics, agency response goals and current service delivery challenges. Finally, staff will summarize the structure of the new Fire Rescue Services Fund in the context of the approved FY16 Budget and review several scenarios related to operating costs associated with the opening of the Pantops Fire Recue station.
BUDGET IMPACT: This project has been approved in the FY16-FY20 Capital Improvement Plan. Full funding for design services has been planned as part of the FY16 Capital Budget in the amount of $256,488.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
At the conclusion of the work session, if the Board is satisfied with the proposed timing and need for the Pantops station, staff recommends that the Board authorize staff to proceed with design services. Conversely, if the Board is not prepared to proceed with the project, staff recommends the Board direct that funds appropriated for design services be placed in reserve for future consideration.
ATTACHMENTS: N/A