The Del Mar City Council approved a cost sharing agreement with Solana Beach for fire management transition services on Jan. 20, the latest step as Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas disband a cooperative arrangement for fire department services that had been in place since 2009.
The deal includes an equal split between Del Mar and Solana Beach for an interim fire chief, Colin Stowell, to be paid $122 per hour, as well as an equal split of other costs such as training and equipment.
Stowell was hired by the Solana Beach City Council in December, and his employment started on Jan. 5.
The current arrangement among the three cities, known as the Cooperative Management Services Agreement, will be in effect through the end of March.
The process started last June, when the Encinitas City Council voted to exit the agreement.
“We’ve been going through a process in the months leading up to this discussion looking at those various options and what we’re recommending at this point is hiring an interim chief, that was already approved by the city of Solana Beach,” Del Mar City Manager Ashley Jones said. “The person can only be employed by one agency, so they have entered into an employment contract with an interim chief, up to 12 months. What’s on the agenda tonight is a cost-sharing agreement that allows Del Mar to pay a proportionate share of that.”
According to a council agenda report, Del Mar and Solana Beach have been “looking more closely at a two-department solution” as “likely the best option.” The interim arrangement will focus in part on finding a permanent solution.
“This particular position will be providing equal assistance to both agencies and looking at what are our options, assisting with hiring a permanent fire chief, making recommendations for a fire command structure, and preparing for the transition that’s going to occur in March,” Jones said. “In that context, there is equal benefit to both agencies.”
