During the last City Council meeting, the mayor of Nice discussed the report from the Regional Court of Auditors, which highlighted criticisms and reservations regarding the management of the SDIS (firefighters’ service) during the period 2010-2016.
The episode, although “accounting” in nature, was inevitably interpreted as a polemical act in the ongoing dispute between Christian Estrosi and Eric Ciotti, ex-officio president of the SDIS during that time frame.
The city of Nice contributes to the SDIS funding to the extent of approximately 20%.
Christian Estrosi, alluding to poor management of this service, mentioned the intention to limit the funding increases within the limits of the agreement between the City of Nice and the State, which is 0.75.
Naturally, these criticisms were redirected to the recipient by Eric Ciotti during the Departmental Council meeting held a few days later. On this occasion, the president of the finance committee of the Department assumed the role of the Lord Protector of the firefighter-service, taking full responsibility for managing this public service.
There were questions about whether this would lead to a new standoff between the two entities, which already have numerous contentious issues.
Apparently, at least according to a statement signed by Philippe Pradal, who represents the City of Nice on the SDIS board of directors, a compromise solution has been found:
“The increase in municipal contributions will henceforth be limited to 1.2%, as now required by the State for all local authorities,” declared Philippe Pradal before announcing, “Nice will contribute nearly 20% of the total budget.”
For now, it seems to be settled. We’ll wait for the next round!
