The Hemet City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to contract with the Riverside County Fire Department, putting an end to the city’s 106-year-old municipal fire department.

The council also voted 3-2 to impose the city’s last, best and final offer onto the Hemet Fire Fighters Association. A settlement with the members was required before county services could be contracted.

At least 20 people had signed up to speak on the issue starting at 9 p.m. The temperature of the crowd leaned toward keeping the city department. The decision came about 10:30 p.m.

A slim council majority voted in November to start talks that would turn fire and paramedic services over to the county department, which is part of the statewide Cal Fire agency.

About 200 residents were at the meeting, which was moved from the usual council chambers to the Hemet Public Library to accommodate a larger crowd.

Loud boos were heard when City Manager Wally Hill recommended contracting the service with the county.

His report said the county contract would cost $11.3 million in the first year and $11.6 million in the third year, which would be less expensive than keeping the local department.

Those numbers were disputed by the Hemet Fire Fighters Association and proponents of keeping services in-house. They say it’s cheaper to operate a local department and there are more cost controls. Union President Steve Sandefer questioned some of the math used in the report.

Under the contract, the county will use the four current Hemet fire stations, and be given all of the city’s fire equipment, including engines and trucks.

Hill had recommended that the city sign a five-year contract with the county fire department, effective July 1.

In voting to pursue the contract in November, the council majority of Larry Smith, Shellie Milne and Robert Youssef said they were looking for the best service for the least amount of money.

The decision led to a failed attempt to recall those three council members.

Linda Krupa and Bonnie Wright voted against a contract, saying local control is best.

Smith and Krupa are running for re-election in the Nov. 4 election, where they are challenged by five other candidates.

The council voted on a proposal to not only contract services, but to begin talks with the county for interim management services, to develop a plan to ensure as many current Hemet firefighters as possible would transition to the new agency and develop a plan for firefighters who plan to retire during the transition period.