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Commission, city staff tussle over Quincy fire contract; county attorney says revised agreement was sent and recommends joint meeting
Summary
Commissioners and staff reviewed a dispute with the City of Quincy over a fire‑service contract. County attorneys said a revised agreement (containing a county figure of $661,500) was sent to the city; commissioners directed staff to pursue a joint meeting and explore interim payment arrangements for unpaid invoices.
Commissioners spent a lengthy portion of the meeting discussing a disputed fire‑service contract with the City of Quincy and how the county should respond to the city’s questions about past payments and a new agreement.
Interim county staff and the county attorney said the county had drafted a revised fire contract incorporating edits provided by Quincy staff and that the draft had been transmitted to the city prior to its most recent commission meeting. The attorney told the commission the county left the contract figure at $661,500 in the draft it sent to Quincy.
Commissioners expressed frustration about the timing and communication: some said the county had discussed alternate locations for other projects in the public meeting without first consulting the city. Several commissioners urged a diplomatic, in‑person meeting with Quincy officials to resolve outstanding issues and urged staff to move quickly to memorialize the county’s position.
Commissioner discussion also touched on payments the county owes the city for past services and the need for a clear written agreement that breaks down deliverables and budget items (salaries, benefits, gear) rather than a lump sum. The county attorney explained that while the board could technically authorize allocations from general revenue, practical considerations — such as required budget breakdowns tied to contract deliverables — mean staff should have a signed agreement before releasing the full amount.
Actions and direction: The board instructed staff and the attorney to arrange a joint meeting with Quincy officials to try to resolve the dispute and to provide a written update to the commission. Several commissioners also urged staff to identify interim payment options for services already provided while the contract negotiations continue.
Ending: Staff agreed to pursue a joint meeting with Quincy officials and to bring back a clearer contract draft and payment recommendation to the commission; no new contract was signed at the meeting.
