DATE: February 26, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Opposition To The Governor's Plan To Cut $20 Million In CDF Funding

SUMMARY:
Reference
Governor Gray Davis' 2002/2003 budget proposal includes a cut of $20 million in State funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CDF) budget. Governor Davis is counting on local
jurisdictions to pay for this cut by reimbursing the State through a cost sharing plan. In just over a year, San Diego County has experienced three severe wildland fires that have destroyed over 50 homes and burned thousands of acres of land. Despite local leaders asking for more fire protection resources from the State, the Governor is proposing to reduce CDF's budget by $20 million.

Today's action will declare the County's opposition to the CDF budget cut and authorize Supervisor Jacob to represent the County at the Director's SRA Advisory Committee meetings, with Supervisor Horn as the
alternate.

Recommendations
Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Bill Horn
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter to Governor Gray Davis and members of San Diego's State Delegation, for the Chair's signature, opposing the proposed cut in CDF's budget and plan for reimbursement of costs from local jurisdictions.

2. Appoint Supervisor Dianne Jacob as the representative and Supervisor Bill Horn as the alternate on the Director's SRA Advisory Committee.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request.

BACKGROUND
Governor Gray Davis' 2002/2003 budget proposal includes a cut of $20 million in State funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CDF) budget. Governor Davis is counting on local jurisdictions to pay for this cut by reimbursing the State through a cost sharing plan. In just over a year, San Diego County has experienced three severe wildland fires that have destroyed over 50 homes and burned thousands of acres of land. Despite local leaders asking for more fire protection resources from the State, the Governor is proposing to reduce CDF's budget by $20 million.

On April 24, 2001 the Board took action to call on State and Federal leaders to ensure that State and Federal fire agencies will have enough resources to fight wildland fires year round. Unfortunately, Governor Davis is proposing just the opposite and is relying on local jurisdictions to make up the difference. This is unacceptable!

Andrea Tuttle, Director of CDF, is putting together a State Responsibility Area (SRA) Advisory Committee and is requesting the participation of organizations and individuals with a high level of understanding of the financial structure of California's fire protection system. The committee will review the Governor's proposal and make recommendations for meeting the budget goals. It is critical that San Diego County has representation on this committee.

Today's action will declare the County's opposition to the CDF budget cut and authorize Supervisor Jacob to represent the County at the Director's SRA Advisory Committee meetings, with Supervisor Horn as the alternate. We urge your support.

Respectfully submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District

BILL HORN
Supervisor, Fifth District