I was appointed as an alternate to the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) by the Cities Selection Committee for 2025-2028, representing all cities in Santa Clara County. I supported the action taken in January by the Board of Supervisors to dissolve the South Santa Clara County Fire District (SCFD) and annex its territories into the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (CCFD), and I supported the same LAFCO Staff and Commission action on April 2. As detailed below, in the full April 2 LAFCO packet, and through public testimony at the LAFCO hearing, County Fire stated that this annexation will not affect current service levels or funding of the northern cities they serve and those northern cities are not losing any service to South County. https://www.sccfd.org/southcounty/
South County residents will not see any changes to their property taxes because of the fire district reorganization. The creation of Service Zone 4 is required for County Fire to maintain an existing development fee that helps pay for fire services in South County and to create a structure to make sure revenue from the fee is dedicated to South County.
CCFD known as County Fire, is governed by the County Board of Supervisors, a California Fire Protection District serving North Santa Clara County and the communities of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.
SCFD is governed by the County Board of Supervisors and participates actively in automatic aid agreements, (the closest engine responding regardless of jurisdiction) with the Morgan Hill Fire Department, Gilroy Fire Department, Pajaro Valley, Hollister, and San Jose Fire Departments while covering the unincorporated southern parts of South Santa Clara County and San Martin.
LAFCO is a state mandated independent local agency established to oversee the boundaries of cities and special districts in Santa Clara County. By order of the State, LAFCOs are charged with stewarding the future of their counties. In Santa Clara County, LAFCO has curbed the loss of agricultural lands, encouraged the densification and walkability of our cities, increased regional climate resilience, and promoted the cost-effective delivery of services that are funded by taxpayers. https://santaclaralafco.org
The City of Gilroy has been impacted by operational decisions over the years by the South Santa Clara County Fire District. E69 or Treehaven Station at Gilroy Gardens through the drop borders agreement, provides 1st due responses to areas within the City of Gilroy like Eagle Ridge and Heartland neighborhoods. On any given day that station could be downgraded from providing Advanced Life Saving (ALS) to Basic Life Saving (BLS) services, staffing two on the Fire Engine as opposed to three, moved up into the City of Morgan Hill to provide coverage while leaving our district empty, or not staffing E69 for the day and close it.
Any percentage of times these occur, adds to the structural failure and impending insolvency of the South County Fire District, and those impacted residents. South Santa Clara County Fire District has been underfunded and underserved in terms of fire protection services. The County Fire Chief and County Executive reaffirmed their commitment to working with the City of Gilroy on any drop border agreements. Santa Clara County Fire Department will continue hosting office hours through May 16 at the Sig Sanchez Government Center in San Martin, as the department looks forward to building relationships within the community, including city staff and electeds, and have their staff available to address questions regarding the upcoming transition.
County Fire will take over service beginning July 1, 2025 and assume the lease for the Treehaven Gilroy Gardens Fire Station with the City of Gilroy. The City of Gilroy Fire Administration and City Administrator have met with the County Fire Chief, County Fire Administration, and are working together on boundary drop agreements and staffing for the Treehaven Fire Station E69.
LAFCO Agenda Packet April 2 • Letter to Cities Association and current County Fire contracted Cities
Santa Clara County LAFCO Updates by CM Zach Hilton- 00:32:32 • City Administrator Report Back on Santa Teresa Fire Station to Include County Fire at Treehaven Fire Station and Agrements 02:32:13 • City Administrator Updates on Meeting with County Fire Chief 00:30:58 • City Administrator Updates on County Fire 04:23:50
Now is the best time to continue that exploration of consolidation of the Gilroy Fire Department (as mentioned in our current MOU with Gilroy Firefighters Local 2805) with our County partners who have continued to provide the much needed safety net in services, including expansion of the County owned St Louise Hospital, Santa Clara Family Health Plan Community Resource Center, South County Youth Task Force, Re-Entry Services, millions of dollars in grant funds from Public Health, 8th/Alexander Affordable Housing project, and much more.
I’ll never forget the partnership between Gilroy Fire and County Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic when our firefighters went door-to-door in our rescue ambulance and set up clinics at the senior center providing vaccinations for the most vulnerable and isolated. It was such a successful model that nearby cities in South County were asking for our services. When we needed to provide services during the pandemic, the County was our partner, and remains our partner. Consolidation not only increases service levels but will also create a more balanced and sustainable budget, allowing our dedicated Gilroy firefighters to switch into retirement that matches the region, while ensuring that our community is better protected in the future.