The Highwood City Council will weigh an intergovernmental agreement with Highland Park tonight that would allow for the sharing of fire and emergency medical services between the two cities.
The agreement has already been tentatively approved, but needs council approval to proceed. The next step would be a referendum vote for Highwood residents in March on whether to close the current fire station. Without closing the station, officials said the partnership would not result in the intended savings for the city.
The consolidation of services is partly a response to the state's ongoing financial troubles. By sharing services, towns and cities are often able to offer similar quality services at lower costs. City officials expect to save more than $9.3 million over 10 years as a result of the partnership.
Highwood officials said Highland Park was chosen as a partner because of its proximity and the national level accreditation of its department. Response times are expected to be similar, and no preference will be given to Highland Park calls over Highwood calls.
If the council approves the plan and voters approve the closure of the current station in March, Highland Park would begin providing services on July 1.
The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
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