One of the final steps in turning over the Twentynine Palms Fire Department over to the county was taken last night by the Twentynine Palms City Council. Reporter David Haldane says the years-long process is close to being completed…
It may be the dawning of a new age in Twentynine Palms. After years of haggling, the City Council has finally approved an agreement with the water district, paving the way for the county takeover of local fire protection services.
“I don’t think we’re moving backwards. I would just think that we could move forward with this agreement.”
That’s Mayor Daniel Mintz, who joined the majority in voting 4-1 in favor of the agreement at last night’s regular meeting. The only standout was Council member Cora Heiser, who voted nay because, she said, “I want the people to have a vote.”
Under the agreement, the city will assume an estimated $1.3 million liability for public employee retirement services and receive revenues from district-operated cell phone towers.
In other business, the Council allocated $10,000 for an upcoming 29th anniversary celebration and took its first look at a preliminary $6.2 million special funds budget for fiscal 2016-17.
TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL PAVES THE WAY FOR COUNTY TAKEOVER OF FIRE
