1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CITY OF RIPON/RIPON CONSOLIDATED FIRE DISTRICT
This Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered into this ___ day of November, 2025, by and between the Ripon Consolidated Fire District (“District”) and the City of Ripon (“City”). It is made with respect to the facts and circumstances set forth in the Recitals.
RECITALS
1. City and District desire to cooperate and utilize their best efforts to provide a stable source of supplemental revenue for fire suppression services provided by District within its jurisdictional boundaries which include, but are not limited to, the City of Ripon.
2. Section 50078 of the California Government Code provides a mechanism allowing special districts such as the District to adopt a fire suppression assessment consistent with the requirements of Proposition 218 (Article XIII D of the California State Constitution) which can provide additional revenue for fire suppression activities to supplement existing property tax revenues and other funding sources for the District.
3. SCI Consulting Group (“SCI”) has presented a proposal and Scope of Work (“SCI Scope of Work”) dated November 3, 2025 to assist the District in evaluating the adoption of a fire suppression assessment (the “Assessment”) and the preparation of an Engineer’s Report based upon the requirements of the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment (California Government Code 50078).
4. At such time as City and District mutually determine that the proposed Assessment is fair and reasonable, and in compliance with the provisions of Government Code Section 50078 and Proposition 218, the District would proceed to take all necessary and appropriate actions to implement the notice, protest and hearing requirements set forth in the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act and other applicable laws.
5. The Parties desire to set forth in clear terms their respective assumptions and expectations for working with SCI to complete the “deliverables” set forth in the Scope of Work, as well as subsequent steps in placing the Assessment on the ballot and securing passage of the Assessment.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Responsibilities of District. District shall be responsible for (a) retaining and paying fees and costs charged by SCI in connection with completing the SCI Scope of Work, including but not limited to, the retention of a sub-consultant public relations firm to assist in voter education efforts (if deemed necessary), and such additional and necessary tasks as mutually deemed necessary by District and City via the approval of change orders, District agrees (a) to provide SCI with full access to District management personnel (i.e. Fire Chief, finance staff, auditors, etc) and other District staff during normal business hours, (b) to provide SCI with available public records and financial data in connection with the Task 1 Scope of Work and the Assessment, (c) to meet from time to time with City staff and Council members via the existing “2x2” structure, to include SCI when appropriate, (d) to attend the kick-off meeting described in Task 1 of the SCI Scope of Work, (e) lead the public outreach efforts as recommended by SCI, including but not limited to, providing information supporting the proposed assessment to civic groups/other identified stakeholders, conducting community “town hall” meetings for the general public, creating and sending out informational mailers, and organizing a door-to-door campaign, (f) to take all other actions and 2 efforts necessary to implement the notice, protest and hearing requirements set forth in the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act and other applicable laws.
2. Responsibilities of City. City agrees (a) to attend the kick-off meeting described in Task 1 of the SCI scope of work, (b) to meet from time to time with District staff and Board members via the existing “2x2” structure, to include SCI when appropriate, (c) to provide access to City Staff and/or non privileged documents and information to assist SCI, and (d) to provide the use of the City Council chambers for public meetings on the proposed assessment.
3. Cooperation between Parties. City and District agree to work in a collaborative manner to support and assist SCI in the completion of the tasks outlined in the SCI Scope of Work, as well as the subsequent public information and election phases of the fire suppression assessment.
4. Beneficial Use of Public Funds. The City Council hereby finds and declares that the expenditure of public funds as contemplated herein is in the public interest because the funds generated by the proposed Assessment will be used to improve fire suppression and related services within the City.
5. Payment of Costs/Reimbursement. City shall reimburse District for one half of the total payments by District to SCI (including necessary sub-consultants if/when mutually agreed upon ) within 30 days from the District’s payment to SCI.
6. Legal Relationship. The Parties affirm and intend that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any legal relationship, partnership or joint venture between the Ripon Consolidated Fire District and the City of Ripon.
7. Effective Date. This MOU shall become effective on the date of approval and execution by authorized signatories of both the City and the District. “District” “City”
Ripon Consolidated Fire District City of Ripon, a municipal corporation By: _______________________ By: ________________________