Covina : City Seeks County Fire Pact
In an effort to save already scarce funds, the City Council voted unanimously last week to begin negotiating with Los Angeles County to assume fire fighting services in Covina.
“The city wants to negotiate a contract whereby it will pay the county a set dollar amount to run the Fire Department,” Assistant City Manager Fran Delach said.
The city in 1992/93 has budgeted $4.3 million for fire services--some 25% of the city’s general fund budget. Substantial savings are expected if the county assumes jurisdiction, officials say.
Delach said a firefighter’s union representative will take part in the negotiations. He said most of the Fire Department’s 45 employees would be absorbed into the county system, “presumably in Covina.” City council members have cited the high cost of providing fire and police services as one of the key reasons for a new 6% utility tax on residents’ bills starting this month.
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