Lakewood F.D. - changes in the wind?

Rumor has it that the Village of Lakewood might be going back to Crystal Lake for fire and ambulance services.

For years Lakewood contracted with Crystal Lake for these services, and there was a regular and ongoing dispute over payments due to Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake side of the story was that Lakewood was usually a year behind on payments, and then it tried to pay an annual amount and call it in advance for the coming year, meaning that a year's worth of payments might just disappear. A former Crystal Lake city administrator had good records and knew the correct amount due.

Then a deal was struck and Crystal Lake accepted about $15,000 in settlement of the $150,000 owed to Crystal Lake, and that was the end of the contested payments. A number of people thought that was a pretty sweet deal for Lakewood.

This time around, Crystal Lake will probably make it "crystal" clear about amounts due and exactly when they are due. And what happens, if service fees are not paid in a timely manner.

If services return to a contract basis with Crystal Lake, will Lakewood residents be upset after spending money to set up their own services?