The Brea and Fullerton city councils are set to vote on a five-year contract to keep their individual fire departments running with a joint, eight-member top leadership.
The consolidated command staff grew out of the Great Recession and the financial damage it caused local governments, many of which still are struggling to recover.
Under the joint agreement, which began as a two-year test in 2011 and has been refined in intervening years, the $2,162,866 million annual estimated cost will be split with Fullerton paying $1,158,000 million and Brea $1,005,345 million.
“The partnership has proven to be a success and has resulted in operational efficiencies and cost savings for both cities,” according to the Brea staff report.
“Staff proposes continuation of the shared fire command staff structure for a five-year program as it has proven effective in managing two fire departments without impact to fire service or our residents.”
The agreement was developed by the city managers and top staff from both cities with assistance from Willdan Financial Services, part of a politically well-connected consulting firm with offices nationwide.
Click here to view the Brea agenda and click here to see the Fullerton agenda. The Fullerton City Council public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Brea meets that night at 7 p.m.
Please contact Tracy Wood directly at twood@voiceofoc.org and follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/tracyVOC.