Fire Service Study Concerns Councilman

An internal study by the Orange County Fire Authority comparing what cities pay for services and the cost of providing them could affect Villa Park, Councilman Joseph S. Barsa said.

In a report to his council colleagues, Barsa said the fire authority’s study involves “the equity issue.” He said some cities served by the fire authority think they are paying more than their fair share.

“It’s very similar to the library situation,” he said, referring to a county library system study last year of costs versus benefits among cities.

Barsa said some larger cities in Orange County are complaining that they might be overpaying for fire services, and any shift in proposed costs could hurt a small city like Villa Park.

“We don’t know if they would be talking about reduced services or increased payments,” he said. “It’s hard to say how Villa Park would come out.”

If the fire authority were to ask for more money from Villa Park, Barsa said, “then you’re talking about a tax increase.”

Barsa said fire authority rules require a “super-majority,” or a vote of 75% of members, before charges to cities can be revised.