REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 5, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Agreement with the Colorado River Indian Tribes for Fire Protection and Basic Life Support Services to the Community of Big River
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve Amendment No. 2, retroactively effective July 1, 2025, to Agreement No. 20-595 with the Colorado River Indian Tribes for the continuous provision of fire protection and basic life support services to the unincorporated community of Big River, with no change in the annual compensation amount of $50,000, and extending the term for an additional five-year period, for a total contract term of July 14, 2020, through June 30, 2030.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of Amendment No. 2 (Amendment) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 20-595 (Agreement) with Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) will allow SBCFPD to compensate CRIT for the cost of providing fire protection and basic life support services in the amount of $50,000 per year through fiscal year 2029-30. Sufficient appropriation is included in SBCFPD’s 2025-26 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On July 14, 2020 (Item No. 59), SBCFPD’s Board of Directors (Board) approved the Agreement with CRIT, to compensate CRIT an amount of $50,000 per year for the costs of providing fire protection and basic life support services to the unincorporated community of Big River, which is located immediately adjacent to the California/Arizona state line, for the period of July 14, 2020, through June 30, 2025. Due to CRIT’s proximity to this area, this continues to be the most cost-effective option for SBCFPD.
On September 14, 2021 (Item No. 55), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for the transfer of SBCFPD’s Firetruck, a surplus property that no longer met the needs of SBCFPD, for CRIT’s use in providing services to the residents and visitors in and around the Big River area, with all other terms of the Agreement remaining unchanged.
The Agreement expired June 30, 2025. SBCFPD and CRIT desire to extend the term of the Agreement with the Amendment, for an additional five-year period effective July 1, 2025, for a total contract term of July 14, 2020, through June 30, 2030.
Approval of the Amendment will allow SBCFPD to compensate CRIT for the cost of providing fire protection and basic life support services in the amount of $50,000 per year. This amount may be increased in subsequent years per the terms of the Agreement based on CRIT’s cost of providing the services. Amendment No. 2 also updates the mailing address for SBCFPD due to the relocation of its headquarters. Amendment No. 2 is retroactive to July 1, 2025, due to a delay in contract negotiations and subsequent time required for fiscal and legal reviews. The signed Amendment was received on June 25, 2025, and is presented at this time as this is the first available Board meeting. All other terms of the Agreement remain unchanged.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 2, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on May 22, 2025.