Board approves full-year fire/rescue agreement with City of Quincy after debate over unpaid quarters

After a lengthy discussion, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a full-year fire and rescue services agreement with the City of Quincy.

The board considered two options: a full-year agreement for roughly $6.06 million (option A), broken into equal quarterly payments, and a smaller, partial-payment option covering only OctoberDecember. Several commissioners said the city had provided coverage in "good faith" without a signed contract and urged the county to pay for services already provided. Others cautioned that approving money before a signed and detailed contract could create negotiation pressure and recommended paying only overdue quarters while continuing negotiations.

County attorney (speaker 7) told commissioners the county currently had no agreed amount and that the city could counter any offer; commissioners responded that the board should negotiate directly and asked staff to present the options. Several members argued that paying the city for the prior quarter(s) was appropriate because services had been rendered. One commissioner said he felt it was a matter of good faith and that the county should honor the prior arrangement while negotiating going forward.

The board ultimately voted to approve the full-year option (option A) so the city would have the funds available and to break the amount into quarterly payments. Commissioners said they would return to the table for future budget negotiations and possible contract renegotiation; staff and the attorney were asked to present a final contract and any counteroffers from the city for board approval.

The vote was recorded as in favor by the board; speakers emphasized the need for clear contract terms going forward and for honoring services the city already provided in the absence of a signed contract.