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It is puzzling to me why a simple actual cost study cannot be done to see exactly how much we may be owed in equitable relief. If an actual cost study is done, the residents of Mission Viejo will know exactly how much we may be overpaying the OCFA. It will also immediately stop continued OCFA future overcharges in the upcoming years to come. Never forget, if we are being overcharged presently, we will continue to be overcharged in the future. This is not a one time, one year overpayment rebate. The rebate will extend to 2030 using the OCFA model. it must also be remembered that we are entrusting our City's equitable relief determination to the integrity of the OCFA's theoretical model, whose own Agency's integrity is now being questioned in the press. This is a scandal ridden agency, beset with financial and procurement problems. The OCFA Fire Chief is currently preparing a reorganization study to present to the OCFA Board of Directors this month to address a cure for the scandals and financial and procurement problems. Why in sImp% good sense would Mission Viejo wantto rely on this Agency to determine whether or not we are not being overcharged for OCFA's services? Isn't there an inherent bias for the OCFA to say, we are not overcharging you? A simple cost study can determine with absolute certainty whether the OCFA is right or wrong. If you do not undertake such a study, you risk losing the faith and confidence that our residents have entrusted in you with regard to proper financial stewardship. Rest assured someone, whether it be an independent organization, the Orange County Grand Jury, a taxpayer group, an individual, or the Register, is going to do such a study. Let's not put ourselves in the position to be criticized in the future for not having first done the study on our own. I recommend that the City Council proceed as follows: First, have staff contact Laguna Niguel and Villa Park to determine if they have undertaken an actual cost study to determine if an equitable relief adjustment may be owed them. Second, have our City Manager meet with the City Managers of Villa Park, Laguna Niguel and Irvine to discuss this issue with them. Third, have staff contact the City of Irvine City Manager, Sean Joyce, on this matter, since he entered into a consulting agreement around September of this year to determine among other things the OCFA's actual cost for providing services to the City of Irvine. Have staff obtain a copy of the consultant's report. Fourth, consider doing a joint actual cost study with Laguna Niguel and Villa Park using the study methodology employed by the City of Irvine consulting company, Fifth, have staff conduct their own equitable relief cost study for Mission Viejo. The cost study simply has to compare what Mission Viejo pays for services to the OCFA versus OCFA's cost for providing those services. We can use Irvine's consultant study as a guide. We have absolutely nothing to lose and potentially millions of dollars to gain. I thank you for your consideration of this matter, Sincerely, Stephen Wontrobski mveyuitablereliefUlapark17.07-13 Cc: OCFA Board of Directors Members