Subject:
Title
Amendment to the Cooperative Agreement between the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, and the County for provision of fire protection services to forest and wildlands within Pinellas County.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Amendment to the Cooperative Agreement between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, and the County for provision of fire protection services to forest and wildlands within Pinellas County.
• On July 20, 1988, the County entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, to provide fire protection services to forests and wildlands within Pinellas County. This Agreement was in adherence to Florida Statutes 125.27.
• In 1988, the protected acreage was assessed at 41,517 acres x $.03 for an annual cost share of $1,245.51.
• In 1994, the protected acreage was assessed at 35,517 acres x $.03 for an annual cost share of $1,065.51.
• In 2006, the method for determining protected acres was updated statewide. Areas that had previously been excluded were now part of the protected acres resulting in an increase of protected acreage within Pinellas County to 59,066 acres.
• In 2008, the rate per acre was increased from $.03/acre to $.07/acre. This resulted in an annual cost share for the County of $4,134.62.
• This amendment would decrease the protected acreage from 59,066 acres to 29,484 acres resulting in an adjusted annual cost share of $2,063.88. The current decrease in protected acreage is the result of land that has been developed and no longer requires wildland fire protection.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
This is an amendment to the Cooperative Agreement between the County and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Forest Service, to provide fire protection for forest and wildland acreage with Pinellas County.
Body
Background Information:
On July 20, 1988, the County entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, to provide fire protection services to forests and wildlands within Pinellas County. This Agreement was in adherence to Florida Statutes 125.27. Each county in the state was assessed at an annual rate of $.03 per protected acre. A periodic assessment of protected acreage is conducted approximately every 10 years and the acreage is adjusted accordingly.
The following is a history of adjustments made to date:
- In 1988, the protected acreage was assessed at 41,517 acres x $.03 for an annual cost share of $1,245.51.
- In 1994, the protected acreage was assessed at 35,517 acres x $.03 for an annual cost share of $1,065.51.
- In 2006, the method for determining protected acres was updated statewide. Areas that had previously been excluded were now part of the protected acres resulting in an increase of protected acreage within Pinellas County to 59,066 acres.
- In 2008, the rate per acre was increased from $.03/acre to $.07/acre. This resulted in an annual cost share for the County of $4,134.62.
This amendment would decrease the protected acreage from 59,066 acres to 29,484 acres resulting in an adjusted annual cost share of $2,063.88.
The current decrease in protected acreage is the result of land that has been developed and no longer requires wildland fire protection.
Fiscal Impact:
This amendment will lower the County’s annual fire protection cost share to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, from $4,134.62 to $2,063.88, with receipts to be deposited as prescribed by Florida Statute.
The amendment results in cost savings of $2,070.74 in the proposed FY23 budget for the Fire Regional Services program within the Department of Safety and Emergency Services (General Fund).
Staff Member Responsible:
James G. Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Forest Service
Attachments:
Amendment of FDACS Cooperative Agreement #1935
Protected Acres Map, dated July 14, 2022
Protected Acres Assessment, dated August 28, 2008
Protected Acres Assessment, dated November 2, 2006
Addendum to the FDACS Cooperative Agreement #1935, dated December 9, 1994
FDACS Cooperative Agreement #1935, dated July 20, 1988