COUNTY COULD FACE FIREFIGHTER LAYOFFS : PROP. 218 MAY END ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.

Byline: David Bloom Daily News Staff Writer

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will try to head off the possible layoff of up to 300 firefighters, the disbanding of 34 engine companies and the closure of 20 stations with crucial decisions this week in court and before the Board of Supervisors.

On Monday, county lawyers will ask Superior Court Judge Richard Kolostian to uphold the benefit assessment district that has raised a crucial $51.7 million each year for the Fire Department.

The district's legality was thrown into doubt by November's passage of Proposition 218, which will ban most such districts July 1.

``We cannot just tighten our belts,'' said Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman. ``It would have some serious side effects. There would clearly be layoffs, 200 to 300 firefighters. In round numbers, about one out of five stations would be in jeopardy.''

The tax district was created in 1991 and provides about 17 percent of the department's budget, said Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman. It covers unincorporated areas and 48 of the 52 cities served by the department, including Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, La Canada Flintridge, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas and Hidden Hills.

In December, county officials filed a so-called validation lawsuit to exempt the district from Proposition 218's requirements, which prohibit levying assessment district fees without an election.

The county is arguing that federal constitutional guarantees on contracts supersede the state measure, said Principal Deputy County Counsel Mark J. Saladino.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has challenged the contentions, saying no contract is involved and Proposition 218's provisions should govern.

Because an appeal is likely no matter what Kolostian decides, on Tuesday the department will ask the Board of Supervisors to set a June 3 special tax election to replace the benefit assessment district.

``We're proceeding down more than one track in hope that one will succeed,'' Freeman said. ``In the event both succeed, property owners will only be taxed once.''

The department has about 2,400 uniformed personnel and about 700 more nonuniformed employees, and operates 137 stations.

Unlike the benefit assessment district, the special tax would charge owners of vacant parcels for fire services. That would add about 147,000 more pieces of property to the 694,000 taxed by the benefit assessment district, said John Gee, the department's planning chief.

The owner of a vacant parcel would pay $12 a year if the lot is two acres or less in size, Freeman said. More than 90 percent of the district's vacant parcels would fall under that limit.

The special tax will require a two-thirds majority to pass.