Board Exits 30-Year EMS Authority, Splits on New Advisory Body

The Solano County Board of Supervisors took its most consequential public safety action in years on May 12, unanimously withdrawing from the decades-old emergency medical services joint powers authority and placing ambulance oversight directly under county control — but a dispute over who gets a vote on the new advisory committee exposed deeper tensions about provider influence in patient care policy. Elsewhere, three Delta agencies presented jointly for the first time, teeing up $29 million in new state grant funding as Supervisor Mitch Mashburn accused the Delta Stewardship Council of stacking its board with "buddies of the governor."

• Board unanimously exits the Solano EMS Cooperative JPA, ending 30 years of shared governance and putting ambulance contracting directly under Board control

• LEMSA advisory committee deferred 3-1 after debate over whether the contracted ambulance provider deserves a vote on the body that oversees patient care quality

• Ambulance RFP back online May 5; bids due June 5, with current Medic Ambulance contract extended to Dec. 1 at a $719,000 franchise fee

• $29 million in Prop 4 Delta grants opening this summer, with three state agencies briefing the Board in a first-of-its-kind joint presentation

• Sheriff reveals stolen memorial stars from 37-year-old peace officer monument — recovered within two days after community rallied

• Six EMS professionals receive first-ever Board-level awards, including a 35-year veteran honored with the Jason Comer Excellence Award

Who Controls EMS Oversight — and Who Gets a Vote?

The Board unanimously adopted a resolution to withdraw from the Solano Emergency Medical Services Cooperative Joint Powers Authority, a governance structure that has managed the county's EMS system for roughly 30 years. The withdrawal triggers a 12-month notice period and shifts direct EMS oversight to the Board of Supervisors through Health and Social Services.

Why it matters: The move comes as the county prepares to select a new exclusive ambulance provider. The RFP went back online May 5 after delays, with bids due June 5 and Board recommendations targeted by end of July. The current Medic Ambulance contract was extended to Dec. 1 at an increased franchise fee of $719,000. The governance transition means the Board — not a multi-agency JPA — will evaluate bids and manage the contract going forward.

Where things stand: EMS Administrator Benjamin Gammon presented a comprehensive overview of the county's system: five hospitals (all now stroke centers), two Level 2 trauma centers, an exclusive operating area served by Medic Ambulance, and the Vacaville Fire 201 transport area. He reported progress on a state mandate requiring Emergency Medical Dispatch capability in all cities by Jan. 1, 2027.

"I'm happy to let this board know that within the last couple weeks all three cities have engaged with me and we should be live by the mandate of California by January 1, 2027," said Gammon.

But the item's biggest flashpoint was the proposed composition of a new local EMS agency (LEMSA) committee. Staff recommended that the contracted ambulance provider and Vacaville Fire 201 provider serve as non-voting members, while hospitals, physicians, fire chiefs, dispatchers, a community member, and a behavioral health representative would vote.

The other side: Public commenter Sandy Whaley, appearing on behalf of ambulance provider interests, called the exclusion a significant omission. She cited six California counties — Sacramento, Riverside, San Diego, Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, and Sonoma — where ambulance providers hold voting seats on comparable advisory bodies. She argued providers are core system operators uniquely positioned to provide data on response times, ambulance patient offload time delays, workforce shortages, and disaster preparedness.

Supervisor Mitch Mashburn proposed amending the committee to grant the contracted ambulance provider voting rights — but only during their contract period.

"I would liken this to the planning commission that advises the board now on specifics around land use. And they get the first look and they get the first vote. And so I have to ask myself, would it be appropriate for us to put a developer on the planning commission?" he said.

Supervisor Wanda Williams pushed back on adopting any model without comparative data.

"We were not provided with all the different options that were available. We were given one option, one option only. We're not provided any other type of other best practices that have been taking place," she said.

EMS Medical Director Dr. Pranav Shetty explained the clinical rationale for the staff proposal:

"We wanted to recuse everybody who was primarily responsible for that clinical care to be part of the final decision on that discussion."

The intent was to separate care providers from the quality assurance body that evaluates their performance — avoiding a structural conflict of interest.

Decisions: The JPA withdrawal passed 4-0 (For: Brown, Williams, James, Mashburn; Against: none; Absent: Vasquez). The advisory committee question was deferred on a 3-1 vote (For: Brown, Williams, James; Against: Mashburn; Absent: Vasquez). Staff was directed to survey other California counties' practices before returning.

What's next: The advisory committee decision returns at a future meeting. The ambulance RFP bids are due June 5, with Board recommendations expected by end of July. Williams and Chair Monica Brown both called for quarterly EMS updates now that oversight sits directly with the Board.

Three Delta Agencies, $29 Million in Grants, and a Pointed Warning on the Conveyance Project

In a first-of-its-kind joint briefing, representatives from the Delta Protection Commission, the Delta Stewardship Council, and the Delta Conservancy presented to the Board on their overlapping roles in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta governance — a region that encompasses one-third of Solano County.

Why it matters: Proposition 4 grant funding totaling $29 million is opening this summer through the Delta Conservancy across habitat restoration, nature-based solutions, and community enhancement categories. Meanwhile, the Delta Conveyance Project — a proposed tunnel to move Sacramento River water south — remains a live threat to the region's agricultural economy, water supply, and environmental health.

Where things stand: Amanda Bohl, Executive Director of the Delta Protection Commission, described the commission's work on land use planning, the Great California Delta Trail, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area passport program, noting three passport locations already exist in Solano County.

Jeff Henderson, Deputy Executive Officer for Planning & Performance for the Delta Stewardship Council, outlined the Delta Plan's legally enforceable regulations and noted at least eight covered actions in Solano County, including the Lookout Slough project and Delta Conveyance Project appeals.

Campbell Ingram, Executive Officer of the Delta Conservancy, highlighted $160 million in grants distributed over 15 years and announced the Prop 4 funding.

"We have a total of $29 million allocated for the Delta Conservancy and Prop 4. I have to say that this is not enough," he said,

He also shared there are efforts to make grants more accessible to disadvantaged communities. Ingram discussed SB 872 (levy maintenance funding) and AB 2216 (expanding the Conservancy's boundary).

On the persistent nutria infestation, Ingram reported the eradication program is managing but strained:

"I would have to say that we're holding our own. They continue to spread, they continue to increase in population, but we're kind of the level of effort." He noted funding is running low.

Supervisor Mitch Mashburn delivered the session's sharpest critique, aimed at the Delta Stewardship Council's handling of Delta Conveyance appeals. He expressed frustration that all but three of hundreds of public appeals were dismissed, and took direct aim at the council's composition:

"That board, just like the water board that's considering whether our water quality is good enough, is a board that's made up of gubernatorial appointees who, while they are well intentioned, may not necessarily be experts on the Delta. They're just buddies of the governor."

Supervisor Wanda Williams discussed her experience on the Delta Conservancy board and encouraged the county to add more National Heritage Area passport locations. Chair Monica Brown asked about educational transportation funding for students visiting Delta sites.

What's next: Prop 4 grant solicitations open this summer. The county faces ongoing challenges from the Delta Conveyance Project and nutria management, with no formal Board action required on this informational item.

Stolen Stars: Sheriff Reveals Theft From Peace Officer Memorial

Sheriff Brad DeWall stunned the boardroom during Peace Officers Memorial Day proceedings by revealing that all bronze memorial stars had been stolen from the county's 37-year-old peace officer memorial just two weeks prior. The memorial honors 21 officers who have died in the line of duty in Solano County since 1850. The nearby veterans memorial was also hit.

DeWall said the theft was motivated by the scrap value of the bronze:

"It was for the metal, the price of a bronze piece of metal that it was stolen. But what I think is what they didn't think about was the meaning behind the medal."

The community responded swiftly — businesses stepped up, a community member offered a $10,000 reward, and a retired officer sought to purchase the star honoring his fallen partner. An arrest was made within two days. Temporary stars were placed in time for the memorial ceremony scheduled the following day.

Supervisor Mitch Mashburn read the accompanying resolution, and the Board adopted it 4-0 (For: Brown, Williams, James, Mashburn; Against: none; Absent: Vasquez). DeWall also introduced Deputy Dalton Ryken as Deputy of the Year for leading complex investigations resulting in 20 arrests and 55 firearms seized.

First-Ever EMS Awards Honor Six Professionals

EMS Administrator Benjamin Gammon and EMS Coordinator Scott Wagness presented the county's first-ever Board-level EMS awards, recognizing six professionals across categories.

Why it matters: The new awards program signals the county's investment in EMS workforce recognition as it restructures governance and prepares to select a new ambulance provider.

Award recipients included dispatcher Mia Watson; Officer Joseph Ussery, honored for saving a man with an arterial bleed within 90 seconds of dispatch; paramedic Jimmy Perry; BLS provider Saraly Severa Garcia; and Dr. J. Peter Zofi, recognized for advancing trauma care and implementing tranexamic acid IV push protocols. The Jason Comer Excellence Award went to Chief Jeremy Langwell for 35 years of EMS service. EMS Medical Director Dr. Pranav Shetty offered remarks thanking all EMS providers. The resolution passed 4-0 (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1).

Four JROTC Units Honored for 7,000+ Service Hours

Supervisor Mitch Mashburn read individual resolutions for JROTC programs at Armijo High School (75 cadets, 900+ volunteer hours), Vanden High School (111 cadets, 1,720 service hours, Distinguished Unit Award), Jesse Bethel High School (97 cadets, 597 community service hours plus 297 school support hours), and Fairfield High School (104 cadets, 4,386 service hours).

Student leaders from each school spoke about how the program shaped their character and leadership. Notable achievements included full Navy ROTC scholarships, cadets accepted to the U.S. Military Academy, and Vanden achieving a perfect 100% unit evaluation score. The resolution passed 4-0 (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1).

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 4-0 covering 15 items, including a $350,000 transfer for legal services at California Medical Facility and California State Prison-Solano; a $450,000 Fleet Reserve transfer for fuel costs; a $233,000 property tax refund appropriation; $85,000 in FAA grant reimbursement for airport operations; and authorization to apply for a $5 million BAAQMD Bay REPAIR grant for energy efficiency upgrades at the Rise Vallejo Early Education Center. IT contract amendments with AgreeYa Solutions and vTech Solutions were extended through July 2028. The Treasurer's Q1 2026 report was accepted.

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month resolution adopted 4-0, authorizing the Pride Flag display at the County Administrative Building for June 2026. A speaker from the Solano Pride Center noted the center's 28th anniversary and that over 425,000 Americans have relocated to states with stronger LGBTQ protections since the last election.

• National Wine Day resolution adopted 4-0, honoring Suisun Valley — named the No. 1 wine region in the U.S. by USA Today's 2025 Readers' Choice awards. Ron Lanza, third-generation winemaker at Wooden Valley Winery, acknowledged statewide grape oversupply but credited 20 years of collaborative strategic planning for Suisun Valley's resilience.

• Memorial Day resolution adopted 4-0. Supervisor Cassandra James read the resolution with personal remarks about her military family. Al Sims of Veterans Services delivered an extended tribute honoring Solano County's 28,000+ veterans and recognizing former Supervisor John Vasquez's stewardship of the Memorial Day tradition.

• SB 707 remote access disruption policy adopted 4-0 ahead of a July 1 deadline. The policy requires staff to immediately notify the chair if remote access is disrupted during a Brown Act meeting, recess for at least one hour, and make good faith restoration efforts before the Board may resume open session by roll call vote.

• Employee retirements recognized: Charlie Palomeras (36 years, Resource Management/County Surveyor); Susan Chimera Kosar (36 years, Health and Social Services employment programs); and Horacio Noel Buitrago (25+ years, Auditor-Controller). Ellen Hudson, Senior Capital Projects Coordinator managing EV charging stations, library remodels, and park upgrades, was named May 2026 Employee of the Month.

• Public commenter Karen Young of the Solano Resource Conservation District described a six-county Regional Priority Plan for wildfire resilience, noting 30% of the region has burned in the last decade.

• Closed session on labor negotiations yielded no reportable action.