BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Bakersfield City Council is set to approve an impasse resolution which will still force staffing changes in the City Fire Department.

The impasse resolution is being pushed for Wednesday night because negotiations between the city and Bakersfield Fire Fighters Local 246 have stalled on changing the union's memorandum of understanding with the city on staffing levels.

The city says it needs to balance the fire department's budget, but the union says altering staffing levels will impact public safety.

The impasse resolution that city staff is recommending be passed would not lead to any layoffs or the closure of Fire Station 14 something that nearly happened back in June, but was avoided with short term money for three months which ends this month..

The council had hoped negotiations with the union would result in the savings to keep the station open and the fire department on budget, but with an impasse and given the economic times the city sees just two options, close Station 14 or pass this resolution.

"Through a unilateral action we're going to add an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding to reduce over time costs," said Assistant City Manager Rhonda Smiley. "And if we can reduce overtime costs than the overall operational costs of the department are reduced and we don't need to look at the closure of a station. And that would be, of course, our preferred option."

The union doesn't want to see Station 14 closed, but at the same time say that by changing the MOU's rules on overtime and staffing levels it will put people in danger.

The union says it saved the city $4 million by not taking raises and believes Wednesday night's actions will put public safety at risk.

The city has said that it must cut personnel costs, which is why the council put pension reform on November's ballot.