Representatives of the Farmington Fire Department were hoping to put in an appearance – and perhaps get some clarification – from the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors regarding vacant seats on the fire district’s Board of Directors.

The county board meeting was scheduled in Stockton for Tuesday, Aug. 12 – after press time for The Times – but assistant fire chief John Kalebaugh said department officials were concerned regarding an item put forth to appoint Chris Lemos, a former board member, to a vacancy on the panel.

Kalebaugh submitted a statement to the county board prior to the session.

“I request clarification and documentation regarding the reappointment of Mr. Chris Lemos to the Board of Directors of the Farmington Fire District after his earlier resignation from that same position,” Kalebaugh wrote. “Mr. Lemos’s resignation created a prolonged vacancy which, due to the loss of quorum, prevented the district from holding official meetings or conducting business for approximately four months.

“Following his resignation, a public notice of appointment invited qualified members of the public to apply to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors pursuant to California Government Code §1780(a). Three members of the public submitted timely letters of interest to the district, with copies provided to the Board of Supervisors and the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters. None of these individuals were appointed.”

Kalebaugh said department officials want clarification regarding why none of those who submitted applications were appointed to fill the existing vacancies. He also expressed concern that the Farmington Fire District, and its clerk, were not formally notified of the county board’s intent to appoint Lemos and asked for “The official opinion of the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters and of the Board of Supervisors on the propriety of the process used.”

He further questioned whether Lemos had submitted a letter of intent for reappointment and, if so, when and who had received the letter.

Farmington is in District 4, with Supervisor Steven Ding representing the area. The appointment of Lemos to the fire district board was on the county board’s Consent Calendar for the Aug. 12 meeting and, according to the agenda, was to be done by resolution in order to “create a quorum” for the fire board.

Farmington Fire Department officials have also expressed their concerns about supervisors possibly considering a consolidation project in the future that could impact the county’s small, rural departments such as Farmington, citing loss of local control and likely lengthened response times.