Judge agrees to delay in city, county fire dispute

A disagreement between the city of Columbia and the Boone County Fire Protection District is on hold.

A judge on Monday approved a motion by both sides to have the next status hearing in June.

The city and county don’t agree on how to respond to fires on each others turf, even if a county station may be closer to a fire in the city, for example. They canceled an agreement about a year ago.

State lawmakers passed a bill last year saying Boone County Fire would cover new Columbia annexations, and get paid based on an old property tax plan. The two sides are now waiting to see if state lawmakers will pass an amendment they both support.

(This story was last updated at 7:44 a.m. Tuesday.)