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121 <br /> <br />The City's share of this money is hereby appropriated to the Asset Sharing Account <br />(05-270-041113) for the purpose of supporting the activities of the Joint Drug Task Force. <br /> <br />d. APPROPRIATION: $8,3 75 - Cultural Resources Grant for Historic Surveys <br /> (carried over) <br /> <br />e. APPROPRIATION: $4,218 - Therapeutic Recreation Program <br /> (from Albemarle County) (carried over) <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: REGIONAL FIRE SERVICES <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the City currently receives $620,000 annually from the County <br />under the Fire Services contract, and said he feels the regional fire services program is a good <br />example of successfully shared services with Albemarle County and the University of <br />Virginia. <br /> <br /> Mr. Julian Taliaferro, Fire Chef, explained that under the contractual arrangement with <br />Albemarle County, two City fire engines are available year round to the County from three <br />possible fire house locations. Chief Taliaferro said the cost to staff one engine company is <br />$435,000 annually. A breakdown of staff hours spent in each jurisdiction shows 55% spent <br />in the City, 29% spent in Albemarle County, and 19% spent at the University of Virginia. <br />Chief Taliaferro said that the City recently proposed to provide aerial service to the County, <br />but the County has not expressed interested in accepting the proposal. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if it is possible for the County to keep an all volunteer fire department <br />given its rate of growth, and Chief Taliaferro replied that he did not think it would be <br />possible. Mr. Cox said he can understand the County's position, and asked what problems <br />the City would have if the County established its own career fire department. <br /> <br /> Chief Taliaferro said that there would be a financial impact on the City because the City <br />would still need to have the same staff and equipment. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Chief Taliaferro said that an aerial ladder <br />would cost the County approximately $500,000, and three staff people would cost in excess <br />of$100,O00 a year. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter asked that staff research the number of calls that originate from the <br />University of Virginia for property that is in Albemarle County that the County, should it <br />establish its own fire department, would need to be responsible for. <br /> <br /> Chief Taliaferro said he believes the majority of the University calls would be in <br />Albemarle County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked why the University provides only $100,000 a year for fire service to the <br />City, and Chief Taliaferro replied that very few universities in the state provide any funding <br />for fire service. <br /> <br /> Noting that the County residents within five miles of City fire stations receive the <br />benefit of the City's fire department rating, and therefore lower insurance rates, Mr. Toscano <br />asked how the termination of the contract with the City would affect County residents' <br />insurance premiums. <br /> <br /> Chief Taliaferro said he feels there ~vould be some insurance increase, but local <br />insurance agents would need to assess the actual impact. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Daugherty, Chief Taliaferro said that the County's <br />need for an aerial ladder prompted them to investigating going to a career fire department. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said he feels the Planning and Coordinating Council (PACC) is the <br />logical place to continue the discussion of the regional fire service. <br /> <br /> <br />