THOUSAND OAKS : City Misses Chance to Quit Fire District

Thousand Oaks officials said they have missed their chance to secede from the county fire district by next fiscal year, as this week’s deadline will pass without a vote on whether the city should establish an independent fire department.

Through June, 1995, at least, Thousand Oaks will remain within the Ventura County Fire Protection District, which runs five stations within the city and three nearby.

In the meantime, city staff members are analyzing Thousand Oaks’ options. Those include forming an independent department, contracting with the district for fire protection services, hooking up to another fire department or continuing with the status quo.

“It’s still very much in a study phase,” Assistant City Manager MaryJane Lazz said. “Things were put on hold for the holiday season.” Lazz said she hopes to present a report to Councilman Frank Schillo by mid-January.

Schillo, who heads a citizens task force on fire service, would then study those options and present his recommendations to the entire council early next year.

“Everything takes an eternity in government, and I’m never satisfied with the pace,” Schillo said. “I’m trying for (a vote) as soon as possible. It’s not like I’m letting up on the issue.”

To break away from the district by next fiscal year, Thousand Oaks would have had to obtain approval from the county’s Local Agency Formation Commission by Friday.