Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials continue to negotiate problems in their fire services contract as the December deadline for renewal approaches.
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors purchases fire services from the city to supplement their volunteer fire department, but Charlottesville officials terminated the contract June 30, Charlottesville Director of Communication Maurice Jones said.
The fire service will not stop until June 30, 2000, giving the city and county a year to work out a new contract.
Charlottesville Mayor Virginia Daugherty said the one-year gap between terminating the contract and cutting off service was a stipulation of the old contract.
"We're required that a notice be given that far in advance," Daugherty said.
Although the city and county have until next summer to finalize a contract, Jones said for city and county budget purposes, an agreement should be reached by Dec. 31.
"It makes it tougher," he said, if the negotiations are continued into next year.
Charlottesville Fire Chief Julian Taliaserro said the city and county need to work out cost and coverage issues.
Daugherty said arrangements need to be made regarding who answers fire emergency calls in the county and how many trucks and people are dispatched.
Under the old agreement, the county paid the city $666,535 a year for fire protection, Taliaserro said.
Daugherty said city and county officials met Monday and have more meetings planned.
City Council will discuss the status of the negotiations at their Dec. 6 meeting.
Albemarle County Executive Robert W. Tucker said the Board of Supervisors would review the contract recommendations at their meeting tomorrow.
Tucker said not renewing the contract is an option, but that he could not comment on negotiation details.
The University receives city fire coverage and is not a part of negotiations, said Leonard W. Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Taliaserro said there is a separate contract between the city and the University.
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