Parkland officials recently discussed the option of looking beyond Coral Springs for fire and emergency services. The city’s five-year contract with Coral Springs expires in 2010; a decision on whether to extend the contract or not has to be taken by Sept. this year.
City officials and residents are pleased with the quality of service the Coral Springs fire department provides. The department received a 96.2 percent quality rating in the city’s annual citizen survey this year. City Commission members are, however, concerned about the increasing costs for services. At least one among them believes the city should be putting the contract out to bid.
Parkland has experienced double digit increases in cost every year of the contract, said Vice Mayor Mark Weissman. “We can anticipate the same in the future. This is our single largest contract; generally we are at their mercy as we are this year. I believe it is in the best interests if the city to look for those who can provide alternative services.”
Parkland officials are also peeved by the fact that Coral Springs is yet to provide all the details the city sought regarding the contract. The delay on part of the city in providing numbers has happened “year after year,” said Weissman.
Parkland should send a letter terminating its contract with Coral Springs if the existing issues are not sorted out, Mayor Michael Udine said. “I’ve no problem with going out to bid. Margate, Coconut Creek, Broward Sheriff's Office and our own fire department; those are our four other options.“
“Coral Springs is giving us good service,” Udine said. “Residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with the service. Our residents demand a high level of service and are willing to pay for it. We have three fully staffed fire stations. That is the level of service I would like to keep.”