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Kings County reverses October 31 pullout, approves multi‑year Avenal fire services agreement with 18‑month termination clause
Summary
After months of dispute, the Board of Supervisors voted to rescind its October 31 termination notice and enter a previously negotiated multi‑year agreement providing continued county fire protection to the City of Avenal, with an 18‑month termination clause. Supervisors split over financial subsidy and trust in the city's process before the vote.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 21 to rescind its decision to terminate county fire services to the City of Avenal effective Oct. 31 and to execute a previously circulated multi‑year agreement that includes an 18‑month termination clause.
Fire Chief John Chamberlin told the board that the county had sent a 30‑day termination notice after the city declined to act on an 18‑month/longer agreement and later purchased apparatus worth about $413,000. He described three options for the board: rescind the pullout and execute the long agreement; negotiate a month‑to‑month cost‑of‑service contract; or proceed with termination and accept the public‑safety risks that would accompany the city’s inability to provide full services immediately.
Supporters of rescinding the termination argued the county should maintain continuity of protection while preserving the option to end the arrangement under the agreed 18‑month clause. Supervisor (Gretchen) moved to reverse the Oct. 31 pullout and accept the fully executed agreement; Supervisor Joe Neves seconded the motion. Opponents pressed for a month‑to‑month, cost‑recovery approach, citing long‑standing county subsidy of Avenal’s service and concerns that the city had not been fully transparent about its intent to purchase new apparatus.
The final roll call recorded three votes in favor and one opposed; one supervisor was absent. The county clerk recorded the vote as: Supervisor (Gretchen) — yes; Supervisor Joe Neves — yes; Supervisor Rusty Robinson — yes; Supervisor Doug Verboom — no; Supervisor Robert Thayer — absent. The motion carried.
Chief Chamberlin warned the board the situation was "not a winning scenario" for county staff regardless of the outcome and emphasized concerns about public safety if the city moved too quickly to provide its own services without proper staffing and training. The agreement approved today provides Avenal continued protection under county operations while preserving the negotiated termination terms.
The board did not adopt new financial terms at the meeting; county staff and the fire chief identified cost‑subsidy concerns and noted the city had made capital purchases that affect future negotiations and fiscal exposure. The board discussion included references to communications with Avenal leadership and to efforts to repair the relationship.
The approved action directs staff to execute the previously circulated multi‑year agreement that contains the 18‑month termination clause and preserves continuity of fire protection for Avenal during the term.
