Millbrae is tired of writing big checks without a real say in how the money is spent.
Last Tuesday, the City Council voted to ask that the joint powers agreement governing the Central County Fire Department be rewritten so Millbrae formally gains a seat on the agency's board. Council members say the move is about basic fairness, arguing the city is increasingly footing the firefighting bill without a corresponding voice in budget and operational calls.
Money at stake
The latest budget cycle is what pushed the simmering issue to a boil. Millbrae's contribution jumped roughly 14% this year, from about $10.4 million to roughly $11.8 million, and the city now pays about 30% of what was described as a $46.7 million department budget, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. The department's FY2025-26 adopted budget lists general-fund expenditures of about $41.4 million and itemizes partner contributions, including roughly $16.27 million from Burlingame and $10.85 million from Hillsborough, as shown in Central County Fire Department budget documents.
Council demands representation
At last Tuesday's meeting, the council approved a resolution asking the Central County Fire Department Board of Directors and the partner councils in Burlingame and Hillsborough to amend the existing joint powers agreement so Millbrae is formally added to the governing board.
The same action also directed staff to fund only Millbrae's share of personnel increases while the city reviews what it describes as an apparently unauthorized $340,000 rent and tenant-improvement request tied to the fire service. The City of Millbrae agenda packet lays out the resolution language along with the related budget details.
What it would take
Central County Fire began in the mid-2000s as a joint powers agreement between Burlingame and Hillsborough, according to San Mateo County LAFCO records, with Millbrae formally joining later under a fire services contract signed in late 2014. Changing the governance structure to give Millbrae a formal board seat, whether through a JPA amendment or a shift to a dependent district model, would require action by the existing partner councils and, in many scenarios, voter approval. In other words, Millbrae's request kicks off a mix of legal and political steps rather than a quick administrative tweak. San Mateo County LAFCO records cover the original JPA, and Central County Fire reports document the 2014 service agreement with Millbrae.
Next steps and stakes for residents
The resolution now heads to the Central County Fire board and to the Burlingame and Hillsborough councils for consideration. If the partners decide to pursue a governance change, the process could reshape how local fire budgets are set and how Millbrae is billed for its share of services.
The department's own station roster highlights how intertwined the three cities have become in day-to-day fire service: multiple stations cover Burlingame, Hillsborough and Millbrae, including Stations 37 and 38 in Millbrae. That shared footprint is exactly why Millbrae officials say a formal voice at the table matters for the residents picking up a growing share of the tab. The Central County Fire Department maintains the station list and the budget materials cited in city discussions.
