With UF and Gainesville struggling with budget cuts, city commissioners decided Thursday to send a letter to UF President Bernie Machen requesting a partnership to seek state funds for fire service.
After a citywide fire assessment fee that would help alleviate budget cuts was voted down during the summer, the Commission had requested that UF help pay for the $2.9 million it takes to provide fire service to UF.
Machen responded in a letter that UF could not afford to pay the fee because of its own cuts. Paul Folkers, assistant city manager, recommended the city and UF partner to seek funding from the state Legislature.
Alternatives include pursuing more negotiations with UF or ceasing service to UF, Folkers said.
Commissioners agreed that UF and city should work together.
Commissioner Jack Donovan said he doubted that the state would respond positively to the city's need.
"I think it's a good-faith gesture, but I think it's doomed to failure," Donovan said.
