The layoff plan is one of seven potential budget-balancing measures the city is considering to make up for a $2 million shortfall. Layoff notices are required to be sent to employees 45 days in advance of June 30, the last day of the current fiscal year.
Closing Station 38, located on Crestview Drive, is wrong, said John Murphy, district vice president of San Mateo Fire Fighters Union.
"It's obviously going to cut the level of service," he said. "That's disastrous in our perspective. (Station 38) receives about 500 calls a year, and Station 37 probably gets 2,000 calls. They are the fifth-busiest in the County. If they're that busy, and Station 37 is out on a call, Station 38 is the only engine in Millbrae that can back them up."
Station 38 takes up
$850,000 of the general fund budget.
On March 23, the council gave the go-ahead to proceed with a fire assessment district. If property owners vote yes, they would pay an annual $144-per-parcel tax, or $12 a month.
The money would buy new equipment and maintain the Fire Department's level of service. On April 23, property owners will receive their ballots in the mail, and the votes will be tabulated June 8.
City staff believes that the assessment -- which could bring in $1.125 million -- has a 50 percent chance of passing.
"It's a must measure. The assessment district is the only route we have to go with," said Joseph Quadt, a Millbrae resident and retired deputy chief of the Hillsborough Fire Department. "No one wants to see an increase in anything, but there's a time when it's necessary. When it comes to saving a life, we have to do something about it."
Other potential budget-balancing measures are: Selling residentially zoned property at 890 Sequoia Ave., selling one or two lots of open space on Lomita Avenue; reducing police services; closing nine parks; stopping street maintenance service, except emergencies; and reducing financial support of Millbrae Community TV.
The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 621 Magnolia Ave.
