CLEARLAKE — The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has approved the application for the Northshore Fire Authority”s consolidation.
The decision, rendered at LAFCO”s Oct. 18 meeting, includes the dissolution of the Clearlake Oaks and Upper Lake fire protection districts, the Nice Community Services District and the Lucerne Park and Recreation District, and consolidates the entities with the formation of the Northshore Fire Protection District (NFPD).
NFPD”s formation has been an ongoing process which has included five years of organizational reformation of administration and operations among all the entities.
NFPD is taking responsibility for 325 square acres on Clear Lake”s northern shore. Last week”s meeting established NFPD”s sphere of influence, which includes areas surrounding each of the individual zones that had formerly been served by the agencies consolidated under the new organization.
The newly approved district will operate with a five-person district board of directors with one director from each zone serving to represent each of the dissolved districts. There also will be one public member who will serve at-large.
At the Board of Supervisors”s request, the first board will consist of the five seated members of the existing Northshore Fire Authority board. At its first meeting, the NFPD board of directors will draw lots to determine the length of their term of office, with two members each serving two-year terms and three members each serving four-year terms.
NFPD”s board also will select its officers and form its initial committees. Thereafter, each member of the board of directors will be elected by the registered voters for a four-year term at a regularly scheduled or special election.
Those recommended to serve on the first board include Mike Kirch, Lucerne; Lynn Rinquette, Clearlake Oaks; Dara Phillips, Nice; James Crabtree, Upper Lake; and member-at-large, Jim Burton, Clearlake Oaks. Chief Jim Robbins, of the Lucerne Fire Department, will serve as chief of the NFPD.
Consolidation is expected to standardize management philosophy, provide for better utilization of resources and eliminate duplication in services. Monetary savings are expected in terms of group insurance rates by combining personnel throughout the four districts, into one larger entity, instead of multiple groups.
District staff will coordinate apparatus and equipment needs into one plan, which is hoped will result in a stronger buying power.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
