Would it cost La Verne less if it decided to contract out its fire service to Los Angeles County?
That was the question Councilman Muir Davis wanted to know, but a majority of his colleagues opposed a request to conduct an initial costs benefit analysis, even though it would have come at no cost to the city.
Mayor Don Kendrick and council members Robin Carder and Tim Hepburn voted against Muir’s request at Monday’s meeting. The three cited a lack of concern from residents about the current level of service from city firefighters. Muir and Councilman Charlie Rosales were in favor of proceeding with the feasibility study.
“I’m not against doing the study. I’m against going to the county,” Kendrick said. “I don’t see why we would do a study when we have the best that you can get right here.”
Carder said it’s highly likely that the study would show initial operations, under Los Angeles County Fire control, would be significantly less than the city’s current service.