Copyright 2006 Marin Independent Journal, a MediaNews Group publication
All Rights Reserved
By TAD WHITAKER
Marin Independent Journal (California)
San Rafael and Marinwood officials reached a three-year agreement Friday that will preserve a joint fire service, ending a feud that began more than a year ago.
San Rafael will pay Marinwood $225,000 for 2006-07, $250,000 for 2007-08 and $275,000 for 2008-09. The annual payments are far less than the $390,000 San Rafael paid before the dispute began, but an increase over the $150,000 Marinwood received from the city this past year.
“We’d hoped for a larger amount,” said Dave Mitchell, a board member of the Marinwood Community Services District. “Maybe eventually we’ll end up with something better.”
The Marinwood board must approve the agreement at a meeting Tuesday, and the San Rafael City Council will consider the deal June 19.
Marinwood and San Rafael have shared fire services since 1973, an agreement that allowed San Rafael to save money by closing one of its fire stations and provided Marinwood with dispatch and training services. But San Rafael officials threatened to sever ties several years ago in light of budget problems.
San Rafael officials abruptly cut their annual payment from $390,000 to $150,000 about a year ago, despite protests from Marinwood officials who complained that more than 50 percent of their calls were in San Rafael.
San Rafael voters approved a sales tax increase six months later to solve the city’s budget crunch and pad its coffers with an extra $1 million annually, but city officials refused to soften their stance with Marinwood.
Marinwood residents were divided over whether to be happy with San Rafael’s initial $225,000 one-year agreement, or to press for money and call San Rafael’s bluff that the city could provide the same service for less.
While this agreement won’t settle Marinwood’s dispute, it is a clear victory for San Rafael because the city will pay far less over three years for the same fire service.
“Residents and businesses will continue to enjoy top-notch fire protection services from both fire departments,” interim San Rafael City Manager Ken Nordhoff said.
Mitchell said some Marinwood residents will be disappointed. But he said no layoffs will take place, everyone will receive the service they expect and the pact leaves open the possibility of creating a regional operation in the future.
“In that respect, I think it’s OK,” he said.