County Service Area charges
At the May 21 Riverside County Board of Supervisors’ meeting, a public hearing was set for June 25 for comments on the possible increase in County Service Area charges for fiscal year 2013-14.
On the Hill, the CSA 36 (Idyllwild) rate would remain the same at $35 per parcel.
The CSA 38 (Pine Cove) parcel rates would increase 2 percent to a range of $58.56 to $59.72 from a range of $57.42 to $58.56.
Health care
At its June 4 session, the board approved Supervisor John Tavaglione’s (Riverside County Second District) recommendation that the county join the coalition of Calfornia counties, consumer groups, labor and hospitals to “Protect the Health Care Safety Net.”
Their goal is to avoid reduction of health care as the state begins to implement the federal Affordable Care Act this year. The coalition is concerned that counties may have to cut safety net health services to the indigent and low-income populations if the governor’s budget proposal is not modified
A month ago, at its May 7 meeting, the supervisors approved an agreement with Huron Consulting to assess the county’s health and mental health delivery system. This study will also address the financial and operational performance of the Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley.
The center is expected to have a $50 million cash flow deficit this fiscal year and continue in to next.
The County Health Care Governance Committee is working with the state to establish the procedure for expanding the state’s Medi-Cal eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
EMS
Director Susan Harrington, Riverside County Department of Public Health, reported on the status of evaluating the county’s Emergency Medical Services system. A draft report will be given to the steering committee this week.
This report will include an analysis of EMS response time performances and a transportation plan with exclusive and non-exclusive operating areas, as well as an assessment of its economic viability, and ambulance response times by zone.
Solid waste parcel fees
Ordinance 789 established Franchise Area 8 (the mountain area) for collecting residential waste and parcel fees to cover operating costs.
Based on the county’s Department of Waste Management’s calculation of the Consumer Price Index, the rate for 2013-14 would increase $2.23, from $116.89 per parcel to $119.12 annually. This is the first rate adjustment since 2010.
Hazardous fire areas
Because of the potential of dangerous fires, Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins recommended and the board approved the closing the following hazardous fire areas:
Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto)
Whitewater Canyon
Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
Minto Area (Sage)
Reinhardt Canyon (north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet)