City Council approves consultant for SP Fire Department study
January 08, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
The future of the Santa Paula Fire Department is the focus of a study approved Monday by the City Council.
Fire Chief Rick Araiza told the council at the January 4 meeting that the study “Basically will look at the sustainability of the Santa Paula Fire Department,” which for the past several years has “relied on the SAFER grant,” with federal funds supplying five full-time firefighters.
The study will examine current service levels and costs, if the department should consider merging with the Ventura County Fire Department “to maintain current levels or an enhancement,” of staffing or seek public support for a tax measure to help supplement public safety including police. The latter would also address “hybrid measures, assessment districts, parcel and utility taxes etc.” noted the report.
In November 2014 Measure F meant to fund police and fire services as well as road repairs came up short of the two-thirds vote required to implement the one-cent sales tax. The measure garnered approval from about 58 percent of Santa Paula voters.
Two proposals were prepared by companies that Araiza said are “very well respected within the fire profession,” in California, a review committee ranking the out-of-state firm highest.
“I’m very concerned,” said Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi, who noted one proposal lacked specified hours for completion, while the second estimated hours that could represent a cost greater than $100,000.
She also questioned “paying people to get information that staff already has or should be able to get...”
Gherardi said although she believes the study is “essential” the cost and even the time required for the study — four months — must be tightened.
“I cannot support this in its current form,” she added.
City Manager Jaime Fontes said the cost should not and would not exceed $50,000 and that based on confidentiality, “neutrality of the product” and security issues a third party must conduct the study.
The “investment, not a cost,” would be covered by the General Fund, which has increased property tax revenue.
“What is the cost of not doing it,” said Fontes, “what is the cost,” of decision-making with inadequate information.
Councilman John Procter also questioned the cost but noted “It’s essential to have a third party do this…these are decisions of such magnitude,” that they must be “aboveboard and beyond reproach…”
“My concern is not the money as much as the timeline,” said Councilman Jim Tovias who said the study must be completed as soon as possible.
Sixty days would be March when the council is already readying for the next budget and Tovias said, “Information is great but unless it’s timely it’s not relevant to what we’re doing…sometimes you have to spend money to save money.”
“This is not their first rodeo,” said Mayor Martin Hernandez. “I have to trust the consultant to know what they are doing.”
The timeline must be shortened to 10 weeks, a timeline that Hernandez said should be attainable or “That’s not the consultant we need anyway. We are not a huge town.”
The budget is a “fluid, dynamic document” that Hernandez said can be altered depending on the actions taken based on the study that could push into the next budget cycle.
