Regular 10.
LAFCO
- Meeting Date:
- 01/29/2026
Information
SUBJECT
Study session to discuss the reorganization plan for the Elkhorn Fire Protection District (no action will be taken)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive staff presentation, accept public comment, and provide input as desired.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Elkhorn Fire Protection District (FPD) submitted an application for dissolution on September 26, 2024. The application was limited to dissolution, with the understanding that LAFCo has the authority to amend proposals and determine the most appropriate method for reorganizing the governance of fire protection within the Elkhorn FPD territory.
On October 31, 2024, staff presented a recommended approach for reorganizing Elkhorn FPD, under which the Cities of Woodland and West Sacramento would provide fire protection services. At that time, rather than fully dissolving the FPD, staff recommended that Elkhorn FPD be retained as a dependent district governed directly by the Board of Supervisors, with its territory limited to the West Sacramento service area. Woodland’s service territory was proposed to be annexed into Springlake FPD. The Commission expressed concurrence with this approach.
Importantly, under both the previous plan and this recommended revised plan discussed herein, the fire protection service areas from the Cities of Woodland and West Sacramento would not change. The cities would continue to deliver services within their respective service areas as they do today via mutual aid. The proposed changes to the reorganization plan relate to governance and organizational structure, not frontline service delivery.
Since October 2024, subsequent developments outside Springlake FPD have prompted a broader consideration of the number of fire protection districts across the county and the extent of authority delegated to local fire commissions for dependent districts. These developments have reinforced the importance of governance structures that provide clear accountability, leadership to support needed funding for services, strong oversight, and effective coordination across agencies.
Recent events in the broader region have underscored how critical it is that fire agencies have clear and streamlined governance, are well-coordinated, and equipped to manage increasingly complex and high-risk activities. While no governance structure can eliminate all risk, thoughtful and streamlined organizational design materially improves oversight, communication, and operational preparedness.
In this context, a combined fire protection district offers meaningful advantages. A unified district creates the potential to function as a hub for shared services—particularly in areas such as fire prevention, inspections, training, and administrative support—where scale and consistency improve effectiveness and reliability. Such a structure also positions the district to support neighboring jurisdictions through cooperative service arrangements, enhancing regional outcomes without diminishing local service delivery.
Additionally, the creation of a single, unified district establishes a stable foundation that can accommodate future collaboration, or consolidation should surrounding agencies determine that such actions are in the public interest. Even where further consolidation is neither immediate nor certain, this approach sends an important signal: it demonstrates a willingness to modernize governance structures to better align with contemporary fire service demands.
For these reasons, staff recommends reorganizing Elkhorn FPD, Springlake FPD, and CSA 9 into a single fire protection district rather than proceeding with a two-district structure. This approach better advances the overall fire protection district governance strategy by establishing a durable foundation for potential future consolidations and by creating a district capable of serving as a shared-services resource for rural fire protection districts as needs arise.
On October 31, 2024, staff presented a recommended approach for reorganizing Elkhorn FPD, under which the Cities of Woodland and West Sacramento would provide fire protection services. At that time, rather than fully dissolving the FPD, staff recommended that Elkhorn FPD be retained as a dependent district governed directly by the Board of Supervisors, with its territory limited to the West Sacramento service area. Woodland’s service territory was proposed to be annexed into Springlake FPD. The Commission expressed concurrence with this approach.
Importantly, under both the previous plan and this recommended revised plan discussed herein, the fire protection service areas from the Cities of Woodland and West Sacramento would not change. The cities would continue to deliver services within their respective service areas as they do today via mutual aid. The proposed changes to the reorganization plan relate to governance and organizational structure, not frontline service delivery.
Since October 2024, subsequent developments outside Springlake FPD have prompted a broader consideration of the number of fire protection districts across the county and the extent of authority delegated to local fire commissions for dependent districts. These developments have reinforced the importance of governance structures that provide clear accountability, leadership to support needed funding for services, strong oversight, and effective coordination across agencies.
Recent events in the broader region have underscored how critical it is that fire agencies have clear and streamlined governance, are well-coordinated, and equipped to manage increasingly complex and high-risk activities. While no governance structure can eliminate all risk, thoughtful and streamlined organizational design materially improves oversight, communication, and operational preparedness.
In this context, a combined fire protection district offers meaningful advantages. A unified district creates the potential to function as a hub for shared services—particularly in areas such as fire prevention, inspections, training, and administrative support—where scale and consistency improve effectiveness and reliability. Such a structure also positions the district to support neighboring jurisdictions through cooperative service arrangements, enhancing regional outcomes without diminishing local service delivery.
Additionally, the creation of a single, unified district establishes a stable foundation that can accommodate future collaboration, or consolidation should surrounding agencies determine that such actions are in the public interest. Even where further consolidation is neither immediate nor certain, this approach sends an important signal: it demonstrates a willingness to modernize governance structures to better align with contemporary fire service demands.
For these reasons, staff recommends reorganizing Elkhorn FPD, Springlake FPD, and CSA 9 into a single fire protection district rather than proceeding with a two-district structure. This approach better advances the overall fire protection district governance strategy by establishing a durable foundation for potential future consolidations and by creating a district capable of serving as a shared-services resource for rural fire protection districts as needs arise.
BACKGROUND
Fire protection services within the Springlake FPD territory are already provided by multiple agencies, including the Cities of Davis and Woodland and UC Davis. Adding the City of West Sacramento as an additional service provider within a combined district would therefore not represent a fundamental change in service delivery, but rather the continuation of an already divided service scheme under a more unified and streamlined governance structure.
Staff’s recommended revision to the proposal plan is illustrated in the attached maps, which will be presented at the meeting for discussion and to address any questions from the Commission.
Staff’s recommended revision to the proposal plan is illustrated in the attached maps, which will be presented at the meeting for discussion and to address any questions from the Commission.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Crawford (Originator) | Christine Crawford | 01/15/2026 08:35 AM |
| Christine Crawford (Originator) | Christine Crawford | 01/20/2026 04:59 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Christine Crawford
- Started On:
- 01/08/2026 04:34 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 01/20/2026