Looks like La Vernes do-or-die session on the proposed $20 million public safety bond ran into a snag Monday night.

Of all five council members, Steven Johnson was the only one on the dais who said he was unwilling to support a bond measure at this time.
Johnson said considering the city went to the voters in 2000 to raise the utility tax by 50 percent, he didnt want to burden residents again with more taxes.

A $20 million bond would likely cost voters about $200 extra a year, according to officials. A summer poll found 60 percent of La Verne residents would likely support it. Of course, a hypothetical poll is much different then an actual ballot measure. These things are tough to pass.

Johnson said he would not campaign against the city if they move forward with the bond anyway. But the remaining council Monday night questioned whether they should proceed without a united front.
Theyre going back to the drawing board and will come back in April to decide whether its feasible for them to approve a bond measure with only majority support versus unanimous support.

Meanwhile, firefighters say they’ll continue to live in their closet-turned-bedrooms and police volunteers will keep their equipment in a leaky, rubber-maid shed outside.