County officials meet over fire services

Monday, March 8, 1999 | 2:12 a.m.

Staff members of both entities have been negotiating the prospect for months but have been unable to clear a major hurdle.

At the heart of the issue is who will oversee the combined department.

City officials favor a contract under which the city would take over the county's fire protection operations.

But Washoe County officials argue that would alienate rural areas protected by volunteer fire companies.

County commissioners last month voted in favor of a joint powers board made up of city and county representatives to oversee the combined department.

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