ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : County Hints at Billing for Shared Services : Finances: Supervisors raise issue after discussing the purchase of a bomb disposal robot. Although paid for by the county, it would also be used by cities.

If Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez has his way, cities may find themselves billed for law enforcement and other services they now receive free.

The chairman of the Board of Supervisors ordered research on the possibility of recouping service costs after he learned at Tuesday night’s meeting that the county will underwrite the cost of a $52,000 bomb disposal robot for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department--even though most bomb threats occur in cities and special districts.

“I think this piece of equipment is imperative to the safety of our officers and that’s why I give it my full support,” Vasquez said Wednesday. “But we have an obligation, and it has long since been our philosophy, to look for the possibility of cost recovery.”

County bomb squad deputies expect to respond to 1,000 calls across the county this year, but only one-third of the threats will come from unincorporated areas.

The board unanimously supported purchasing the robot, which is equipped with a camera that helps officers view suspicious objects from afar. The robot also helps officers safely dispose of devices deemed hazardous.

Moments before the vote, Supervisor William G. Steiner noted that the request came on the same day that Sheriff Brad Gates announced he will lay off 28 employees, including 13 sworn deputies, to achieve $4 million in budget cuts prompted by the county’s financial crisis.

“We really need a mind-set change in 1995, in the context of the bankruptcy,” Steiner said. “It’s just so inconsistent today to read that Brad (Gates) is laying off deputy sheriffs and we’re doing this giveaway to the cities.”

Some city officials said Wednesday they would be willing to contribute to county costs in some areas, but stressed they are also struggling with tight budgets.

“I don’t think we’re necessarily opposed, but we would have concerns if this would be something that would be expanded to other services,” said Santa Ana Police Department Lt. Robert Helton. “We’re like all of the other municipal governments right now. When a cost is passed onto us . . . it means we all have to go back to the drawing board and identify where the money would come from.”

The Sheriff’s Department is concerned that imposing fees for services could jeopardize public safety.

“At first blush, it always sounds nice to get reimbursement,” said Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer. But he said when his department has turned to service fees in the past, municipalities have found ways to cut back the need for assistance.

For example, he said, cities have hesitated before calling on county helicopters for which they must pay, and have looked for ways to reduce the number of inmates they book into the county jails because of high fees.

“We don’t want a situation where (police) administrators say, ‘Wait, don’t ask for that, that’s another service we’ll have to pay for,’ ” he said. “An emergency situation or a bomb threat is not something (where) you should hesitate about calling for help.”

Vasquez said the county has no intention of jeopardizing public safety.

“That’s our No. 1 priority, always,” he said. “But maybe there is a way for cities to chip in a bit. I think it’s something we need to take a look at.”