Covina : Fate of Fire Department

The Covina City Council--not voters--will decide whether to disband the Fire Department and contract for fire and paramedic services with the county.

The council voted unanimously Tuesday to decide whether to sign a 10-year contract with the county at its June 1 meeting, rather than put the issue on the June 13 ballot. The issue will be discussed at two public workshops; dates have not been set.

The council has had two public hearings to discuss and take public comments on the contract for county fire protection, which many residents oppose because there is no guarantee how much money the city will save.

City officials have estimated that Covina might save $130,000 or more a year if the county provided fire and paramedic services.

The Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County has told city officials that it estimates--but will not guarantee--that the cost of providing fire service during the 1993-94 fiscal year will be $4.17 million. The city plans to spend about $4.42 million on its own department that year.