City Dismayed
May 8, 2008
News from the Alleghany Highlands
Covington City Council feels “blindsided,” Vice Mayor Stephanie Clark said.
Alleghany County’s decision to terminate the 31 year-old joint Fire and Rescue Services agreement has left members of council unhappy, and council expressed their dismay during their work session Tuesday night.
“Regionalization does not sneak up on you,” Clark added, referring to the county’s plan to fund the city the same amount it funds the county fire departments and rescue squads.
Almost 50 percent of the city fire and rescue squad calls are in Alleghany County, and the agreement specified payment based on Protected Property Value. During the last billing cycle, Alleghany County paid Covington $202,000 for emergency services in the county.
