Report Investigates Funding Options for OC Harbor Patrol

www.thelog.com - By: Ambrosia Sarabia | Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:13:00 PM Last updated: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 3:13:00 PM

SANTAANA — A report attempting to end the heated debate over who shouldcover the cost of operating Orange County’s harbor patrol servicesdetermined that harbors are regional assets and should continue to befunded by the county. The 13-page memorandum analyzed various elements,including potential cost-saving plans to replace experienced Sheriff’sDepartment officers with lower-salaried employees or park rangers.

  Photo by: Ambrosia Sarabia Protecting OC Coastlines– A memorandum released by Supervisor John Moorlach’s office analyzedthe best methods of funding the services provided by the Orange CountySheriff’s Harbor Patrol. The topic has been a long-standing issue withthe Board of Supervisors.  

Ashrinking budget led the Orange County Board of Supervisors to examineother alternatives to fund the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol,which is paid for through county parks and tidelands funds.

The agency that is responsible for patrolling three harbors(Newport Beach, Sunset Beach/Huntington and Dana Point) is projected tocost $11.4 million this fiscal year — a 22 percent increase from fiscalyear 2004-2005 ($9.4 million). This growth in cost is partly due toincreased retirement costs, the study said.

Several local politicians have suggested the cost is toohigh, and that harbor cities should be exclusively responsible forfunding harbor patrol activities, instead of requiring inland cities inthe county to pay as well. Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby hasraised this topic many times at board meetings.

Under a May 1975 resolution, the county is responsible forreimbursing the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for the costs ofpatrolling the three harbors. Harbor Patrol activities are funded by OCParks (55 percent), and through Newport Beach and Dana Point TidelandsFunds (45 percent).

Some officials contend that the increasing Harbor Patrolcosts may negatively affect the ability of OC Parks to maintain itsinland park system or adequately fund new capital projects.

A work group established by Supervisor John Moorlach’soffice tasked its members — consisting of officials from the Sheriff’sDepartment, OC Parks, the county CEO’s office and OC Dana Point Harbor— to address a series of questions on governance and finance issues.

The document, “Analysis of Harbor Patrol Governance andFinance Issues,” addressed a series of questions including: whatportion of harbor patrol activities should be performed by the OrangeCounty Sheriff’s Department (OCSD); how should harbor patrol activitiesbe funded; how should the agency be staffed; and are harbors localfacilities or county regional facilities.

The work group considered requiring cities that benefitfrom harbor patrol services to contribute toward the cost. However, thecounty cannot compel cities to pay for the harbor patrol, the reportstated.

“The county has approached the cities, and the cities haveessentially said they are not interested in paying for something thatthey have been getting free for a long period of time — and that it isa regional asset they already pay for in terms of their property taxand the taxes they pay on their boats and fuel,” said Harbormaster Lt.Mark Long.

But asking cities to take over services not required to beprovided by the Harbor Patrol (which include required Homeland Securityoperations) won’t make a significant difference in cost savings, sincethe Sheriff’s Department will need the same resources to perform theservices mandated by the state.

A proposal to create a new and less costly classificationof “Marine Service Officer” was rejected by the sheriff, who citedscheduling, labor and administrative issues.

“Why is it that the boating community has to accept alower-trained lower classification of employee?” asked Lt. Long. “Theypay their property taxes. It’s what they have come to expect after allthese years — and, quite frankly, it does not appear that the boatingcommunity doesn’t appreciate being singled out for the implementationof a lower classification of employee.”

As an alternative, both OC Dana Point Harbor and OC Parksrecommend park rangers operate the patrol boats, replacing 11 deputysheriffs while continuing to employ a deputy sheriff to man thefireboat. The cost savings associated with that move would beapproximately $783,607 annually.

In the report, OC Dana Point Harbor also suggested passingsheriff’s department costs along to boaters, to raise revenue.According to the report, the sheriff’s department could explain thepublic safety benefits and necessity of the harbor patrol and chargeharbor slip tenants a fee for the service. Launch ramp users could alsopay a fee to help cover the cost of the agency. Income would godirectly into the sheriff’s budget.

Implementing cost-recovery fees for special events that require harbor patrol assistance was also recommended.

Arguments that the harbors are local and not regional werenot supported by the study, which discovered that 60 percent of thosewho had contact with the Harbor Patrol in 2008 were from cities outsidethe county’s coastal area. Of 2,169 recorded contacts in 2008, 1,195(55 percent) were with residents of non-harbor Orange County cities.

In accordance with the findings, harbor patrol activities will remain a county function.

“I think as long as a portion of the Harbor Patrol is fundedby OC Parks, then the debate will never be put to rest,” Lt. Long said.“We are constantly in competition for parks monies.”

The item will be added to the supervisors’ agenda in January.