Turlock council directs staff to negotiate renewed Modesto fire administration agreement, adds citizen advisory board
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Summary
After hours of public testimony and debate over local control, council voted 3–2 to direct staff to negotiate a new administrative services agreement with the City of Modesto and return with a proposed contract that includes a citizen advisory board and an ex‑officio Local 2434 union representative.
Turlock City Council voted 3–2 to direct staff to negotiate a new fire administrative services agreement with the City of Modesto and return to the council with a proposed contract that would include a citizen advisory board and an ex‑officio representative from Turlock Firefighters Local 2434.
The motion, passed after a procedural reconsideration, followed a multi‑hour presentation by city staff and Modesto fire officials outlining four scenarios for administrative services and a lengthy public comment period in which firefighters, former department employees and residents urged opposing outcomes. Councilmembers Abraham and Vixell voted against the motion; Vice Mayor Monette, Councilmember Phillips and Mayor Bill Black voted in favor.
Chad Hackett, president of Turlock Firefighters Local 2434, urged the council to allow the current contract to expire on June 30, 2026. "Signing another administrative service contract is not a neutral decision," Hackett said, arguing the current model produced turnover in leadership, a near‑two‑year vacancy in the fire marshal role and a loss of local identity. "Bring back Turlock's fire chief, restore local leadership," he said.
Modesto representatives and the interim deputy fire chief for Turlock, who presented the staff analysis, emphasized operational benefits of the regional model: deeper response resources, shared specialized services, and access to EMS and fleet maintenance expertise. Chief Jelnick (interim deputy fire chief) said the arrangement provides "access to 24 engines, 4 ladder trucks, multiple chief officers" and that the model can be refined with stronger oversight and reporting.
Staff presented a financial analysis with multiple scenarios showing modest first‑year savings under some contract options but cautioned that detailed long‑term costs depend on the services selected (for example, whether EMS administrative services are included). Director Marino and management analyst James Governale said the proposal before council was not a final contract but staff's request for direction on a path forward.
Public commenters were sharply divided. Several former Turlock fire employees and long‑time residents argued a local chief would improve morale and retention; others cautioned that ending the Modesto arrangement without a clear transition could reduce available automatic aid and strain local staffing. Speaking to the council, longtime resident Milt Treweiler urged letting the agreement expire and restoring a Turlock chief: "We want Turlock, not Modesto, to run our fire department."
Under the council motion, staff will negotiate terms with Modesto and return with a draft agreement that explicitly proposes a citizen advisory board and an ex‑officio seat for the union representative. Council directed staff to include performance oversight measures and metrics for transparency; staff also noted they will complete any required 45‑day notifications under applicable labor law if negotiations proceed. The council scheduled no final vote tonight beyond authorizing negotiations.
The decision leaves open multiple next steps: staff negotiations with Modesto, drafting a proposed agreement for council consideration, and further public engagement. The council moved into closed session for labor and personnel matters and reported no reportable action at adjournment.
