Adopt Amended Resolution of Application Initiating Proceedings with the Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for a Change of Organization to Dissolve the Elkhorn Fire Protection District and Concurrent Annexation of Territory within the District's Boundaries into County Service Area No. 9. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Sabatini)

Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Amended Resolution of Application initiating proceedings with LAFCo for a change of organization to dissolve the Elkhorn Fire Protection District and concurrent annexation of territory within the District's Boundaries into County Service Area No. 9 (Attachment A).

On December 6, 2022, the Board adopted a resolution (Item #51; Resolution No. 22-167) initiating a Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission (Yolo LAFCo) application for the purpose of dissolving the Elkhorn Fire Protection District (FPD) and reorganizing the Elkhorn FPD territory into Springlake FPD and County Service Area 9 (CSA9).  On April 18, 2023, the Board modified their previous direction and recommended that the successor agency for Elkhorn FPD be solely CSA9, and removing Springlake FPD from the anticipated Yolo LAFCo application (Item #28; Minute Order #23-36).

The modified Elkhorn FPD successor agency proposal was derived from the feedback during the engagement efforts with the East Davis and Springlake FPDs—specifically, the concern over impacting contract-only fire protection districts that are performing well. If Elkhorn becomes part of CSA 9, the County Board of Supervisors would assume responsibility for the district and the necessary fire protection contracts with the cities of Woodland and West Sacramento. 

As directed at the April 18, 2023, Board meeting, staff has amended the Resolution of Application to initiate the reorganization proceedings (see Att. A) to reflect the Board's modified direction.  The attached resolution, if adopted, directs staff to file an application with Yolo LAFCo seeking the dissolution of the Elkhorn FPD and reorganization of Elkhorn's territory into CSA9. 

Staff have collaborated with various rural fire protection districts, the Woodland Fire Department, the Davis Fire Department, the Fire Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee (Supervisors Barajas and Sandy), the Department of Finance, and the Office of County Counsel on this effort.