MEETING DATE:
MAY 12, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. FD 2026-379 - APPROVAL OF THE SAN MARCOS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM AND ADOPTION OF A FIVE-YEAR FIRE MITIGATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution of the San Marcos Fire Protection District Board of Directors authorizing continued participation in the San Diego County Fire Mitigation Fee Program and approving the Five-Year Fire Mitigation Capital Improvement Plan to utilize Fire Mitigation Fee Program revenue.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
The San Marcos Fire Protection District (San Marcos FPD) has participated in the San Diego County Fire Mitigation Fee (FMF) Program under County Ordinance No. 7066 since January 31, 1986. Approval to participate in the FMF Program is required annually. In addition, adoption of a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan detailing the planned use of FMF revenue is required.
Discussion
The San Diego County FMF Program was established by the County to provide funding to fire protection and emergency medical services in unincorporated communities. The San Marcos FPD participates in the FMF Program as it serves portions of unincorporated County area. The unincorporated County area covers approximately nine (9) square miles with a population of approximately 10,000.
Within the San Marcos FPD the County of San Diego collects 100% of the ceiling amount of the Fire Mitigation Fees on the Fire District’s behalf from building permit applications. The Fire Mitigation Fee Review Committee provides oversight of the program and submits their recommendations regarding fee adjustments to the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors for review and approval. Based on a Nexus study, FMF Program updates were completed and approved by the County Board of Supervisors on May 23, 2023, and are effective beginning July 24, 2023. Following the FMF Program updates, the fee schedule was updated for fiscal year 2026-27 and effective July 1, 2026.The updated San Marcos FPD fees are presented in the chart below. The Fire Mitigation Fee Ordinance requires an annual resolution from the San Marcos FPD Board of Directors confirming the Fire District’s participation in the FMF Program. Approval of the Five-Year Fire Mitigation Capital Improvement Plan is also required based upon completion of any previous projects where mitigation revenue was utilized.
The San Marcos FPD’s Five-Year Fire Mitigation Capital Improvement Plan will save the mitigation revenue for the future purchase of one (1) Type I Fire Engine and associated equipment, an approximate total cost of $1,400,000. The Five-Year Fire Mitigation Program Capital Improvement Plan and San Marcos FPD map are included as Attachment A.
Historically, calls for service within the San Marcos FPD area account for approximately 15% of the total call volume of the San Marcos Fire Department. Therefore, the Capital Improvement Plan will utilize mitigation revenue to offset 15% of the cost of a future Type I Fire Engine to serve future development within the San Marcos FPD, an estimated $210,000.
The approved Fire Mitigation Fee rates are determined by land use and are detailed below:
|
FIRE AGENCY |
MAXIMUM FEE RATE BY LAND USE ($ per square foot) |
|
|
RESIDENTIAL* |
COMMERCIAL / RETAIL |
HOTEL |
INDUSTRIAL |
MEDICAL |
OFFICE |
AGRICULTURE* |
|
San Marcos FPD |
$1.09 |
$0.94 |
$0.50 |
$0.74 |
$1.76 |
$3.53 |
$0.03 |
Environmental Review
Not Applicable
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal year 2026-27 revenue from the FMF Program will be budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operations & Maintenance Budget, subject to City Council approval.
By confirming the Fire District’s participation in the FMF Program, the Fire District will receive projected revenues of approximately $50,000 per year, dependent on development within the San Marcos FPD.
Attachment(s)
Resolution
Attachment A
Prepared by: Heather Todd, Fire/EMS Administrative Services Manager
Submitted by: Heather Todd, Fire/EMS Administrative Services Manager
Reviewed by: Dan Barron, Fire Chief
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager