Consider for a moment what potential impact that might have- during these past approx. seven years on the moral, loyalty, support, service, dedication, innovation, etc. It's like cutting off your NOSE, despite your face!
Neighboring cities may take the position that working with Atherton is bad news. They never seem satisfied, that is, being short changed, deprived, left out and diminished while others receive a bigger slice of the pie. It's unlikely that a neighboring city would embrace a love affair with them, given the facts.
For a moment, consider if the shoe was on the other foot. What do I mean by that? In essence, if the current Fire District announced that they didn't want to be where they were NOT WANTED, withdrawing their service within 90 days! Panic may set in, as few could provide the level of service that RESIDENTS have enjoyed for nearly 100 years or more. Sometimes one never values what they have until they are about to LOSE IT.
Thus, ATHERTON may be playing with fire, pursuing an ill advised path that harms everyone. If REASON rules, then moving on to more productive issues would be well advised.